Matters of the Heart

Which way

by Katie Welker

I think it’s safe to say that we’ve all been in situations where we can feel ourselves leaning toward one decision vs. another, where we’re at a tipping point of sorts. It’s a moment when a million questions are circulating through our minds at a mile a minute.

Do I go for it? Do I hold back?
Do I stay in the safe zone or jump and take a risk?

The questions don’t stop. You can’t silence them because you’re so torn over what to do.

Which direction is best?
Which provides happiness and clarity?
Which provides comfort and stability?

I’ve found that a lot of people claim there’s a distinctive moment when you know which way to go… a moment when you know what to do.

But I don’t necessarily believe that’s true.

I think it’s actually a compilation of multiple moments that add up over time until there are too many to ignore.

I think it takes so many steps in one particular direction in order to realize that maybe you’re closer to “knowing” than you thought.

It takes quite a bit of time to realize that maybe the next course of action isn’t necessarily a major leap of faith, but just another step in the direction you’ve been heading in all along.

So maybe if you’re stuck and unsure of what that next move should be, the best thing to do is to simply look at what steps you’ve already taken. I bet you’ll be surprised that in the bottom of your heart and the pit of your gut, the answer has been waiting for you all this time.

Small acts

by Katie Welker

It’s no secret that there has been a lot of heart-wrenching tragedy at the front and center of the news lately. It’s a lot to take in, a lot to process, and a lot to try and understand.

With that comes the inevitable outpour of opinion, suggestions of what should be done, and, of course, countless posts on social media.

Now i’m certainly not here to tell you what to believe, think, say, or preach. Definitely not. But what I am here to say is this: the little things we say and do matter. And they matter a lot. 

And not just in “times like these,” but all of the time.

Our interactions and communication with others – both verbal and nonverbal – all create momentum and energy which cause a ripple effect that will either be positive or negative.

That ripple effect can be overwhelming, though. And if you’re anything like me and not sure exactly what to do about the mayhem in the world – and not just in Paris, but everywhere – then let me open the door with a few simple ideas that can immediately be put in place.

You may remember these from back when you were a kid…

  1. Think, and even more importantly, LISTEN, before you speak.
  2. Treat others the way you’d like to be treated.
  3. Stand up for your beliefs, but remember that yours are not the only beliefs out there.

Small acts of kindness and human decency have more power to create big changes than we may realize.

Be kind. And then encourage others to do the same.