I’ve always been a judgmental person, so I’ve decided to see the world through heart-tinted glasses. Rather than see people as people, I’m trying to see their heart, not their physical heart, but how much heart they have.
For example, although this boy looks disabled, I see him motoring around our library every week. Everything about him reveals a huge heart.
Kids in general have tons of heart, yet we often tend to forget that. We tend to be condescending towards kids, rather than filled with admiration.
Picture a baby leaning to stand or walk. Watch how many times they fall on their behinds, yet they never give up. They keep getting back on their feet. Wouldn’t it be great if we all maintained that perseverance?
When I look into the hearts of others, I can see past MY prejudices, judgments, and biases. For example, at my son’s last Kung Fu lesson, one of the kids was acting out. He kept showing off, asking inappropriate questions, and pretending to fall while doing cartwheels. He was so annoying–to me.
During the water break, this kid tripped while running towards the water fountain. One of the other kids in class ran to him and said, “Oh my God, are you ok?”
At that moment, I saw into all of our hearts. The empathic kid obviously had a huge heart. The “annoying” kid had an innocent heart. My heart was jaded and cynical. I almost laughed with satisfaction when I saw the “annoying” kid trip.
When we are taught to judge others and ourselves by what we look like or how athletic we are, we often lose sight of heart. My Auntie Francis lived her entire life loving and serving others. She took care of her aging parents while taking care of us kids. Then she took care of the kids’ kids. Like many of the forgotten saints in our lives, she lived her life alone. She had a deformity in her arm that ostracized her from dating circles her entire life.
I wish someone besides our family could have recognized the heart, beauty, and purity of my Auntie Francis. My goal is to not let saints like my Auntie Francis go by unappreciated.
Tomas from Heartfelt2013.wordpress.com posted a wonderful video called “if we could see inside others’ hearts”:Life, in 4 min.” I’ve reposted it here.
Imagine if we combined empathy with looking through heart-tinted glasses.
Who would become our new heroes and celebrities? Who would our children worship as role models?
Thank you for reading, sharing, and/or smiling.
Who is your heart-tinted hero? Please share.
Related articles
- Teaching Children Empathy (babyzone.com)
everyday gurus 
Thanks for the mention and the link, Kozo! Yes, Heart trumps 😉
Thanks for sharing the video, Tomas. I watched it again this morning after seeing the tornado footage and was moved to tears. {{{hugs]}} kozo
[…] Heart-Tinted Glasses. […]
Thanks for the reblog. {{{hugs}}} Kozo
You probably already know my answer to your question at the end. 🙂
Mine is my son. He makes me see beauty in things I haven’t noticed since my own childhood. I think in a way he fixed me.
My heart was broken after losing so many people in my life. Then, when I found out I was pregnant with him, my life began filling up with love.
After, when he was born, it was almost like he was putting the shattered pieces of me back together.
& Now, he’s sewed me all up & I’ve began to heal.
Excellent post, Kozo. You have me all about to cry. Aww shucks.
Yes, our children are our heart-heroes, J. I just wrote about hugging my son after hearing the news about Oklahoma. His heart soothed my tears. I love the way you put it: “he’s sewed me all up and I’ve began to heal.” {{{hugs}}} Kozo
*hugs* I love that. “Heart-heroes” I think that going to be my “Daily Daydream” for tomorrow. I’ll credit & link back to you. 😀
What a beautiful comment – you made me cry! What a wonderful gift your son is…
Aww, Dianne! *passes out the peace tissues*
& Yes, that little boy is an amazing gift. :*)
the sad thing is most of us are born with this heart but over the years we unlearn that behavior too often. it is encouraging to know you, like so many others, are making the effort to re-learn that gift.
Yes, s blake. It reminds me of the line from The Breakfast Club, “we can’t help it, when we grow older, our heart dies.” I am focusing on making sure this does not happen to me. I want to revive the heart I had as a child. {{{hugs}}} Kozo
Reblogged this on Bastet and Sekhmet and commented:
Very beautiful post, I enjoyed it very much! How wonderful is the world of children…they have so much to teach us…and they are a reminder of who we are and from where we come…we should reflect more on our treasures…
Thanks for the reblog, Bastet. Yes, children remind us of who we are and from where we come. So true. We are all blessed. {{{hugs}}} Kozo
Reblogged this on I am Super Istar and commented:
A post worth sharing… I can relate to this. Back when I was a student nurse, I see different type of emotions and faces. Most of them touched me. About kids, yes, they will always be innocent and full of life, how I wish adults like us learn to appreciate them everyday 🙂 Thank you for this one, made me appreciate life more.
Thank you so much for the reblog, Joycelyn. I also noticed that you are part of Bloggers for Peace. Salamat for all you do. {{{hugs}}} Kozo
You are most welcome, yes I just joined recently. Makes me proud 🙂
That video made my eyes watery lol. Thanks for the post 🙂 Loved it. A lot of times, when I meet people and am able to see their hearts, I want to tell them what I see and how beautiful it is.. sometimes I do, but a lot of times I’m too shy. Sometimes I think people think I’m weird for doing it, and that keeps me from doing it more often. I wish I could do it more openly and freely.. I think people need to know that we see and acknowledge their hearts. Not sure if that makes sense.
It makes complete sense, Crystal. I love that you see people’s hearts and tell them. Imagine how loving the world would become if everyone did this. Keep loving and sharing, my friend. {{{Hugs}}} Kozo
p.s.
I’ve seen your heart, and it is full of love.
Doing what you say is exactly what our society needs. If people are appreciated for what they ARE instead of what they can or cannot do, that’s the point when balance will be restored and our priorities will be set straight again: values, principles, wisdom above everything else and especially money and power.
I agree 100%, Daan. Yes, we need to refocus our eyes on hearts. Let’s be the vanguards in this practice. {{{hugs}}} Kozo
This is such a beautiful message. We need to see the heart in everyone and love more. It’s not about what they can maybe be, it’s about who they are. Like when I look into someone’s eyes, I look for their soul, not just at them. This rings the essence love out loud.
Yes, Lady Lovely. We need to look into others’ eyes rather than at their bodies, cars, and clothing. Then we can see their soul, their heart, and their true beauty. I see your soul, Lady Lovely, and it is “Lovely.” {{{hugs}}} Kozo
You’re an inspiration, Kozo 🙂
Thanks, Robert. One of my goals in my interactions with others is to be inspirational, so it is nice to hear that I am realizing my goals. {{{hugs]}} Kozo
“Rather than see people as people, I’m trying to see their heart, not their physical heart, but how much heart they have.”
I’ve tried this before, too, and it really is helpful. You see people in such a different way with so much more appreciation.
Thanks for reminding me to do this.
To tell the truth, Georgia, your blog reminded me to see the world this way. Women are judged everyday on qualities that really have nothing to do with who they are. My Auntie Francis was rejected by male suitors due to her body shape. Unfortunately, all women are judged on their body shape, age, clothing, etc. nowadays. In the past, I have been guilty of not paying attention to older or overweight women, but if an attractive woman in a sexy outfit came up to me and asked me to help her change her tire, i would jump at the “opportunity.” I am hoping that if I start seeing the world this way, I will help anyone change their tire because everyone is a sentient being with a heart. Thank you for reminding me. {{{hugs}}} Kozo
Everybody judges, unfortunatley we are guilty of it ouselves, even if we are trying not to. A wonderful idea to look for their heart. I am usually always seeing the good in everyone as I don’t want to see other sides. Unfortunatley it is sometimes a hard lesson as I am being let down and see the other side of the person, I didn’t want to see. Does that make sense? I do believe everybody has a heart deep down and with some people it is easier to see and with some you have to dig deeper.
Great point, Ute. I would add that sometimes we need to “dig deeper” into our own heart to see the hearts of others. Yes, when we look into the heart we are often taken advantage of, but if we continue the practice, I think the love, friendship, and goodwill will out-weigh the hardships. {{{hugs}}} Kozo
I agree with you Kozo, it certainly outweighs it. xx
Sometimes a tough exterior is hard to penetrate. When some fellows recently said they wanted to work on the RUC I didn’t want them to, but hubby did. They talked rough and had lots of tattoos and one had a mow-hawk (when I first saw him I was terrified because he looked like he could kill me as easily as look at me). How wrong I was! These guys have hearts of gold and have proved many times how talented they are and how much they care for me and my house. They have been a godsend and I don’t know what I would have done without them. They pointed out things the builders had done wrong by trying to cut corners (which was why I was so concerned about the inspection) and they were right. I’ve learned a valuable lesson in life about judging people by their looks through all this 😉
Such a sweet story, Dianne. “Don’t judge a book by its cover.” haha. Sometimes we have to delve past the first few pages as well. Looking deep in the heart requires patience and acceptance. So glad you were able to let go and open your arms to these wonderful men. {{{Hugs}}} Kozo
Tottaly love this!!! Heartfelt love!!
Totally !!!
Totally!!! 🙂 Thanks, 1G4AW. {{{hugs]}} Kozo
Adyashanti. Always presence. Always open-hearted. Our favourite teacher. Google him. He is my on-going inspiration to learn to see everyone through heart-tinted glasses. My gran was a bit like your Auntie Francis. We loved her, but there were others in her life who didn’t and took her for granted.
(((((hugs)))))
Alison
I just spent the last half hour on Adyashanti’s website. He speaks locally, so I will go check him out. Thanks for the recommendation, Alison. I love “always presence. always open-hearted.” What a gift you have given me today. Thank you so much. {{{hugs}}} Kozo
You’re where Adya is?! Lucky you. Yes go check him out. He’s straight as an arrow, and can be very funny while being very wise. I’ve been to at least three 5 day, and one 7 day silent retreats with him, and countless weekend intensives when he used to come up to Vancouver every year. Priceless teaching. His is from the Buddhist tradition (years of studying Zen) but really teaches that we must all each find the truth within us. His teacher was the little known, but equally amazing Arvis Justi.
(((hugs)))
Alison
Well said Kozo, true power is from the heart, to open up, share and touch one another like your Auntie Francis. Thanks for sharing such an incredible role model, one we can only hope to aspire to to. Thanks God for these beacon of light, without them we would indeed be lost.
Grateful for have friends with such compassion like yourself. {{{hugs}}}
So true, dearest Maddy, they are beacons of light. Funny thing is that I hadn’t really thought about my Auntie Francis until I started writing this post. Once again, blogging takes me places I would never have gone without it.
I am so grateful for your presence and friendship. {{{hugs]}} Kozo
life
is the choices
we make
~
zach
passed away
may 20th
~
long video … but worth it …
~
his song clouds
Just spent the whole morning with Zach and Soul pancake. Thank you so much, Geo Sans, for sending this my way. What an amazing soul, actually souls, because the sister, the girlfriend, and the parents shined in the reflection of their love for Zach. I also love the song. Hard to have a bad day after watching this video and listening to this song. I feel blessed that you took the time to share this with everydaygurus. {{{hugs]}} Kozo
the video
zach’s family
~
such profound
wisdom
in love
Love for you Kozo x I think everyone should see that video 🙂
Thanks, Annie. Check out the video above in the comments. I think your daughter would love this guy and his attitude. {{{hugs]}} Kozo
[…] in point, one of my dear friends, Geo Sans, posted a comment on a recent post that included a video. This video made me smile, laugh, cry, and appreciate everything there is in […]
Hi Kozo, the first video really brings it home how little we know about each other and how important it is not to judge others. Yes, it made me cry and be glad to be alive. Thanks for sharing, I will reblog this on my regular Sat “Giving Something Back Post 18” as I feel to needs to be seen by as many people as possible.
Athena,
You are such a kind and generous soul. Although I have never seen you in person, I see your heart, and it is huge, soft, and open. Thank you so much for all you do to spread love and peace. {{{hugs}}} Kozo
my ♥tinted heroes all who inspire the human spirit to live in the sphere of goodness, empathy and self sacrifice…especially ones who live this heroic life but in complete anonymous status. they just do good quietly.
thank you for passing along the video from Tomas. excellent. ♥
☼sunHUGS!!
Love your definition of a heart-tinted hero, Sunshine. Reminds me of a quote by Hugh Prather, “the saints of God dare to be ordinary.” {{{hugs}}} Kozo
…ordinary and really quiet. ha ha. ☺