Most visitors to Living with Heart have had some sort of drastic, unwanted change happen in their lives.  Often it was unexpected.  Often it was beyond their ability to control.

They are going through the kind of adversity that shatters lives.  Faced with the daunting task of piecing their lives back together again, they are searching for support and connection, solace and hope.

I hope you find it here.

Much as we wish it weren't so, adversity is an unavoidable part of the human experience.

We can handle most of life's challenges without too much pain and suffering, but some adversities are life-changing, and that's a different story.

These are the ones that swing through your life like a wrecking ball.  They can knock you down so flat you can hardly recognize yourself or your life.

When this happens, know that you can get up again.  At first you can't imagine how you ever will, but there is a way, and you will find it.

Not only can you get up, but your experience of adversity may even start you down a path to a fuller, richer, more meaningful life than you were living before.

It can teach you how to live with heart.

What it means to "live with heart" will be different for everyone, but at the core you will find the vision of happiness each person holds. 

To me it means that
 

	your life is meaningful and important to you
	you are committed to living it well, physically, emotionally and spiritually
	you are purposefully connected to your whole self and the world around you
	you demonstrate caring through your actions
	kindness to yourself and others is your guide

When adversity turns your life upside down, when it blocks you or leads you away from what you want your life to be, it might seem like joy, meaning and purpose have gone missing.

Beyond the chaos, they are still there!

The quest to find them again is what overcoming adversity is all about.

I wish you well.

Site Updates as at July 15, 2008

Books:  addition
Grief & Loss:  new Weekly Quote
Healing:  new Weekly Inspiration, new Tip
Home: new Weekly Wisdom
Links:  addition
Peace Page:  addition
Wisewords:  addition