Heartfelt. Take a moment to appreciate this word. To truly
feel positivity in your heart requires that you slow down. The pace of modern
life is often so relentless that it keeps you focused outward, away from your
inner core. Over time, this stance numbs your heart. To increase your
positivity, you’ll need to “un-numb” your heart. Let it feel. Let it sense with
your heart, not just with your eyes, ears, and mind. Let yourself breathe in
and fully absorb the goodness that surrounds you. Connect to that goodness.
Revel in it. Together with a sincere attitude, this slower pace unlocks your
heartfelt positivity.
Why does this matter? Because
positivity that is not felt – that does not register in your heart or in your
body – is empty. It does you no good. Actually, it can be worse than no
good. It can be downright harmful. Fake smiles, just like sneers of anger,
predict heart will collapse. Positive words not matched with positive feelings
wash the body in stress hormones. Insincere positivity is not positivity at
all. It’s negativity in disguise. To truly benefit from the gestures of
positivity – whether a smile, a touch, or an embrace – you need to slow down
and drink in what that gesture means. Make it heartfelt.
Fredrickson, F. Barbara: Positivity: Top-notch research
reveals the 3-to-1 ratio that will
change your life. New York: Three Rivers Press, 2009. p.180.
