I Open My Heart to Close Out the Year

By Terre Short

We refrain from using the word hate in our home. We taught our children this very early on. It seemed to me and my husband that saying, “I hate chocolate ice cream” was potentially the gateway to saying, “I hate the new boy in my class.” It would become easy to offer the sentiment of hate and this would fuel fear-based assumptions and emotions. We do not regret this decision. What I do regret is that I did not know how to recognize fear verses love mentality as a young leader or that I could lead from my heart, from a place of love.

I’ve always loved the work I do and the roles and responsibilities I have held. It has been an honor to lead others and make contributions for the last thirty years. Until this last decade, I have not understood the power of owning what is in my heart. I do not generally notice holding fear or hate in my heart. However, with age comes wisdom and I now see that I have not fully expressed the love I hold, and I believe this is born out of some level of fear – fear of being misunderstood, fear of appearing weak, or lesser than. I know now that my higher self is counting on me contributing to the greater good from a place of love. I am committed to seeking and giving unconditional, loving guidance. What does that look like? How do I do it? I practice these three strategies.

First and foremost, I reflect. Reflection is everything. It is the space between reacting and responding. It is the positive reinforcement for what is going well and what I desire more of. It is validation that love prevails. It is a time for clarifying my intention(s) and releasing what no longer serves me. I reflect routinely each day, as well as randomly as the need for a reconnection to my heart presents.

Secondly, I listen. I quiet myself through mindfulness practices to hear what is in my heart, my inner wisdom. I listen to my body and the signs and signals it transmits through my circulation, heartbeat, energy, and gut. I listen to the word choices, the energy, and the emotions of those with whom I communicate. I listen for what is not said. I listen to what nature and the seasons of the earth teach me.

Lastly, I offer and invite. I invite deeper exploration by others through the curiosity of probing questions. I invite differing perspectives to a loving, accepting space. I offer my observations from my heart, ones that I own and desire to explore further with openness. I invite myself to tease out the positive in every opportunity and accept what I cannot control. I offer myself the potential to learn from each experience, whether the initial impact appears positive or negative. I invite myself to trust the process and my ability to lead myself from my heart each day. I invite you to lovingly apply these affirmations as well.

For several years, I have felt called to help others look deeper into their own inner wisdom and the truth that resides in their heart. This is why Thriving Leader Collaborative was created. I have learned much from my colleagues on this journey and truly appreciate our unique experiences and expertise. We have taken bold steps forward and apprehensive steps backward, responding to the readiness of our audience. We are fully ready now. Ready to own our collective ability to evolve the spiritual essence of leadership. We are with you with our hearts wide open, and an eagerness to connect.

May 2024 be our year of collaborating, leading with love, and serving our individual roles in the evolution of humanity.