But I believe I've narrowed them down to about four main varieties:
1) There are those that are bouncy and bursting - quick to love and cheer up and group hug and include.
2) Others are quieter, yet equally as inviting - showing compassion through simple gestures, genuine "how are you's" and sincere encouragement.
3) There are those that are more fierce, ones with good intentions that are often misinterpreted due to a bluntness aimed to protect.
4) And then there are those that are distant and cold. Like the Grinch's. They could be harsh. They could be guarded. They could be selfish.
Sometimes, it is difficult to know what type of heart you're dealing with and sometimes, hearts can change. You could think a heart is of the first or second variety, but eventually learn that it might be closer to the last. Or perhaps you think you're dealing with a category four, but over time learn that it was a category three all along. It takes time to figure these things out and it can either be exciting or disappointing to find out the truth. The good news is that, based on my four level scale of hearts, there's a 75% chance that you're dealing with a pretty good one ;) It's my belief that almost all hearts want to do right. They want to LOVE and BE LOVED. (Actually, I even think this is true for the 4's. You're DARN RIGHT they want to love and be loved! Perhaps they just need a little help learning how...)
I'm not really sure where this point of view came from. I'm not even sure how I could sit here after watching the news and type this whole idea with confidence. What I DO know is that, one day, I hope my girls see it this way too.
Eleanor and Juliet,
I want you to know that different hearts love in different ways and it's okay to love differently than someone else. I want you to keep an open mind around others, give people a chance to show you who they are, and remember that people can change (think about the GRINCH!). And when it seems you've encountered a heart that refuses to love AT ALL (that gosh darn category four type), resist the urge to lose your faith in people and continue to love the way you know how.
I love you so, so much! Please, please, please remember me as your type-one Mama who tries to use Christmas references as much as possible. XOXO
1) There are those that are bouncy and bursting - quick to love and cheer up and group hug and include.
2) Others are quieter, yet equally as inviting - showing compassion through simple gestures, genuine "how are you's" and sincere encouragement.
3) There are those that are more fierce, ones with good intentions that are often misinterpreted due to a bluntness aimed to protect.
4) And then there are those that are distant and cold. Like the Grinch's. They could be harsh. They could be guarded. They could be selfish.
Sometimes, it is difficult to know what type of heart you're dealing with and sometimes, hearts can change. You could think a heart is of the first or second variety, but eventually learn that it might be closer to the last. Or perhaps you think you're dealing with a category four, but over time learn that it was a category three all along. It takes time to figure these things out and it can either be exciting or disappointing to find out the truth. The good news is that, based on my four level scale of hearts, there's a 75% chance that you're dealing with a pretty good one ;) It's my belief that almost all hearts want to do right. They want to LOVE and BE LOVED. (Actually, I even think this is true for the 4's. You're DARN RIGHT they want to love and be loved! Perhaps they just need a little help learning how...)
I'm not really sure where this point of view came from. I'm not even sure how I could sit here after watching the news and type this whole idea with confidence. What I DO know is that, one day, I hope my girls see it this way too.
Eleanor and Juliet,
I want you to know that different hearts love in different ways and it's okay to love differently than someone else. I want you to keep an open mind around others, give people a chance to show you who they are, and remember that people can change (think about the GRINCH!). And when it seems you've encountered a heart that refuses to love AT ALL (that gosh darn category four type), resist the urge to lose your faith in people and continue to love the way you know how.
I love you so, so much! Please, please, please remember me as your type-one Mama who tries to use Christmas references as much as possible. XOXO
So profoundly well written. I am going to share this post. xo
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