Monday
Jun132011
Leaving Just the Heart
June 13, 2011 * * * * * Posted by: guest blogger 
I like to look at my life as a flower, maybe like the one on today’s photo. And why is that? Because a flower is built up from petals. Each petal can represent a part of my life, and each part that has past will be taken from the flower. By the end all that is left is the heart of the flower, and my life will be over (not by long I hope, but imagine it!). When that life will be over, I hope that all that will be left here on earth will be my heart, in other peoples heart. And that is what I would like to share with you: touching people’s lives and hearts.
There has been a time that I was very aware of my need to be liked by everyone. I still hate it when people don’t like me, but I can live with it better now. But what I cannot not live without is trying to touch people – in a good way – in their hearts and souls. I like to be there for people, help them, be of any kind of support. Helping out a dear friend in need, during a difficult time in their life. It looks almost like it is my life’s purpose to do this. I cannot stop it, and help me God, I don’t want to stop it. It makes me feel good about myself.
Is it a need to be needed? Maybe it used to be. I like to be needed, but foremost I think it is the need that I feel to do good in life. There are so many areas that I (and I imagine you all with me) am not good at, I am no Superwoman. The one area that I am good at, people keep telling me, is giving attention and support to the loved ones in my live.
When I was younger it wasn’t just the loved one that I stood by, I wanted to be needed by everyone I met, and felt responsible for all of them. Through the years I found that to be unbearable and not able to hold up, and the only one expecting it from me was myself. So now, almost turning 40, I am wiser and also feel more as ease with the fact that I cannot be there for everyone, and I don’t have to be there for all the people in the world. If I can be there for the ones I love, and can be part of their life, that is enough for me.
And then, by the end of my life, everyone that I have helped, touched, supported or whatever has picked a petal from my flower, to leave only the heart here in earth, in their life. By then I know I did good, just my heart will stay with them, I HAVE TOUCHED THEM!
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Special guest post today by a returning visitor – Chantal en Roland Huijbregts – whose work can be found over at Chantaliaans. Thank you for joining us here today, Chantal, and for sharing with us your thoughtful story.
Reader Comments (14)
Oh..this is beautiful Chantal. What a wonderful way to offer up your love..by touching people with your heart!
Again - thank you for visiting us here...:-)!!
Marcie, you are welcome, it is a daily treat for me to visit V&V
That is such a sweet way of putting it, Chantal, and is probably something we all can relate to. The day we finally "get it" that we cannot please all the people all the time is the day we finally let go and live the life we're meant to live. Thank you for this thoughtful reflection.
Well, you definitely touched my life and heart today with this beautifully written post. It's true that you can't help everyone and it's best to focus on the people closest to you. But by living your life with the sentiments and warmth you carry, you will reach people in ways you aren't even aware of. Thank you.
Just lovely Chantal, what a perfect way to leave your heart, and your imprint on the world, behind. And yes, we cannot do for everyone, so we do what we can. You touch many.
almost 40? to be so wise about life at 40....a beautiful post, chantal.
A beautiful post Chantal. I'm glad to have heard your voice today. Thanks for sharing!
Welcome, once again, to Vision and Verb Chantal. You may not realize it, but you 'touch' so many of us -- virtually -- by thoughtful posts like this, sharing your beautiful images, and by your long-standing support of our 'little community.'
Really beautiful post...and imagery too...
beautiful pic to go with your lovely post chantal :)
Thank you all very much for your comments, you all managed to touch me, and so the touching continues, we all touch eachothers hearts every day, and we need to keep doing that. It was great to share my thoughts with you again, till next time... I love you all!
So sorry to be so late to your very lovely post, Chantal. It is with age that we gain the wisdom to realize that we can't be all things to all people, so be happy that we can touch and hold dear those who are closest to us. Well done.
What a beautiful metaphor for your life. Thank you so much for sharing!
Chantal, you have definitely touched my heart with all your thoughtfulness. I always enjoy reading what you wrote. This post is another very beautiful one. Thank you so much - you are certainly in my heart.