Strengthen Your Heart

A few years ago, I knew someone who had been diagnosed with cardiomyopathy.  It came as quite a shock, both for that person and for myself when I heard the news. 

Like any resourceful soul, the first thing I did was Google it to find out more on the condition.  Turns out it is a serious condition that can worsen with time and could, without treatment, become life-threatening.  While there are different types of cardiomyopathies, generally speaking, it is a disorder of the heart muscle and the heart has difficulty pumping blood.  Heart rhythm can be affected, and to make it even more worrisome, there is no cure for the condition.

The heart is essential for living and requires the patient to make lifestyle changes such as eating well, managing blood pressure, reducing stress and getting exercise.  In this particular case, the person was given an exercise regimen by their doctor to help strengthen their heart muscle which was essential for their health.

Over a year later I heard this person give a speech and they spoke about their heart condition, summarizing their message by saying, “I’m still standing.”

As I reflected on that, a deeper message came to my mind – after all, we each have a heart, and our hearts can get hurt.

This person’s heart had been hurt by cardiomyopathy, through no fault of their own.  The condition was completely outside of their control.  Because the heart is essential for living, they had to take quick and consistent action (ie. make necessary changes) to strengthen their heart so that they could continue to live a full and meaningful life.  They had to do it on their own; no one else could do it for them.

Taking this to a deeper level, when was the last time something hurt or injured your heart?  Perhaps someone said something unkind to you or you suffered a loss.  Maybe people were mean to you, or something happened that hurt you that was completely outside of your control.

What action (ie. exercises) did you take to strengthen your heart?  Your heart is essential for living, literally and figuratively, and only you can take the action necessary and make changes to “strengthen your heart muscle” so that it operates properly.  It is essential for your health, whether that be physical, mental, emotional or spiritual health, that you take care of your heart so that you continue living your full and meaningful life.  No one else can do it for you; it is completely up to you to take care of your heart.

When your heart is hurt, bruised or broken, what can

you do to care for your heart and strengthen it?

Recommended Resources

There are many different resources available if you feel you have been hurt.  If needed, I would encourage you to seek out resources you feel would be helpful for you.  You are the expert on your own experience.

Monthly Challenge

Set aside some time and write yourself a letter (as if you were an outsider), acknowledging any hurt your heart may be feeling (or has felt in the past) and steps you feel you can take to help strengthen your heart muscle.  Encourage yourself to live your full and meaningful life.