“Learn from the heart… don’t always see from the eyes alone.”

Sometimes it is easy to get caught up in the business of every day life and think about all the things we need to get done, or take action on those things by using our brain. And in that process sometimes we forget to slow down and remember to open our hearts and see or take action, or learn from that kinder more compassionate place.

Can you remember a time when you responded to something purely from a practical, rational point of view when after the fact you realize a response from the kindness of your heart may have brought a better result? As you move through your day today consider where your actions are coming from, and why. If possible make the choice to be moved by your heart rather than solely from your mind.

A wide variety of research supports the benefits of looking at the world with awe and wonder. Some of the recognized benefits of seeing with our hearts, being in a state of awe, include: having a better relationship with time, enhancing creativity, fostering hope and gratitude, and connecting us with nature. New research from UC Berkeley suggests the awe we feel when we’re in nature may help reduce inflammation in our bodies.

As  you settle in for mediation today, keep the above idea in mind, and as an informal practice throughout the day today take some time to be in awe of the world around you and consider making decisions from the heart as well as from the mind.