The year I focused on what moves my heart
Earlier this year in Bogotá, I heard a line I’ve been thinking about ever since. A teacher described the decision to make a significant shift in her career as “hacer lo que mueve mi corazón” (to do what moved her heart) and I thought, “Wow, how poetic. How beautiful. How powerfully simple!”
Yet I’m unsure how many people, including myself to that point, could confidently answer the question: “What do you do that moves your heart?“
The answer may be simple too
I’ve realized that for me, the answer lies in connection. Playing with little ones; laughing with girlfriends and sisters; sharing in the excitement of students chasing ideas; these are moments that move me. Supporting a friend after a loved one’s passing; spending time in nature and in silence; these things move me as well.
Novel places create space for connection in novel ways — one of the many reasons I love traveling. From coaching students in Quito to wedding getaways in Lisbon; personal retreat time in Québec, to a girls’ weekend in the Okanagan; this year I am grateful for experiences in these beautiful places.
I value time spent in connection so much, for the unique moments we share that remind us we’re all in this together. We’re never really alone. And for most adults, I think that’s an important reminder.
Here are a few tips that have helped me focus my energy on what matters this year:
Setting intentions, skillfully
With both personal and professional life, I’m still learning about setting intentions with thoughts and behaviours, and then (this is the hard part) developing the patience for the seeds of those intentions to sprout. Not holding on to expectations of outcomes. That’s right, the often advised “letting go”, or to start, “letting be”.
At a recent talk by a Buddhist monk in Toronto, a friend asked about how to cultivate skillful intention. The monk’s response: reflecting on a situation, behaviour, or decision (especially if you aren’t satisfied with it) creates options for choosing differently next time. In other words, reflection on past you helps cultivate wiser intention for current you. So much better than wallowing in guilt or frustration, right? A way to move forward.
Saying no
The flip side of knowing what moves you is developing the ability to say no. Good ol’ boundaries. I struggle with these, and am still learning how to enforce them. But moving away from the fear of disappointing others, towards trust in oneself is a worthwhile journey.
Saying no to opportunities that don’t align. Saying no to new commitments, including social ones, that take you away from the things that move you. Protecting your time for self-care and creativity. This skill (and I do think it’s a skill!) is SO important to develop because it leads to truer “Yes!” experiences.
Moments of boldness (Saying yes!)
One of my favourite words is gumption: to have courage, spunk, guts. (I love the scene from the film “The Holiday” where Arthur teaches Iris to have more of it!) I think these moments can be pivotal in our lives.
At a conference recently, I met a speaker who shares a similar vision for the future of education (which is rare for me!), and the determination to do something about it (even more rare!). As we briefly chatted, I felt that quiet connection you feel when you meet one of “your people”. In a moment of gut instinct, unusual boldness, and zero thought, I invited him and his colleague to join me for dinner in Toronto, 100km from where we were. With little time to decide, they hopped on board. It was an odd leap of faith for everyone!
We ended up laughing so hard that evening, as one of us said, “our faces hurt”. We shared hopeful chats on what we might create in this space. In the week following, I felt more inspired than I have in months. Now, we are slowly but steadily collaborating to support each other’s visions.
Bottom line: When you feel it, go for it!
A gentle curiosity
As I continue to navigate my version of adulthood, I’m fortunate to share with and learn from resilient people. As we work through life’s challenges, I’m reminded how important it is to be gentle with ourselves. Reflection and striving for improvement are important, sure, but I wish we could all be kinder to ourselves along the way.
Thankfully we each have the things that “mueve su corazon” to turn to, to slow down and pause for as long as we can manage, and give space for our curiosities (and maybe even some moments of boldness!) to happen.
So, now it’s your turn: What do you do that moves you??
Here’s to a new year of doing more of whatever that is, for you!
Roopa is an educator, researcher and blogger. For enquiries, email roopa@edumodels.ca.
