Why Letting Your Heart Break Is a Good Thing

While driving to work recently, a female reporter over the radio said, “Lamar Odom was found unresponsive in a Nevada brothel.  Recent cocaine use and natural sexual performance enhancing supplements were reported…..”

I don’t remember what the reporter said next or what story she moved on to, but she moved on quickly, as newscasters must do.  They report the news.

I’m not sure why I had such an extreme reaction to this particular piece of news, but I immediately felt hot, stinging tears form in my eyes and a lump grow in my throat.  I turned off the radio, which had now moved on to ads at this point, to process what I’d just heard.

I don’t know Lamar or follow his career or his life in the tabloids, but what broke my heart that day was the story of a 35-year old man: Once a newborn baby held in the arms of his mother.  Once a kid shooting hoops on the playground—did he dream he’d play professionally one day?  Once a man becoming a father himself for the first time.  Now, found unresponsive in a brothel.  What happened?!

Can you imagine if this was your son, your grandson, or your brother??

The point of me sharing this story today, is to ask you to not allow the pace of your radio, your television, Facebook, Twitter, etc., to move you along too quickly.  Please don’t become desensitized because of the fast paced world we live in.

Let the stories you hear, or are witness to, break your heart.

When your heart is broken or stirred because of an injustice, an atrocity, or a sad story like Lamar’s, turn off all the noise around you and listen to your heart.  What is it telling you?

Is it telling you to…

Pray?
Volunteer in the Big Brother Big Sister organization?
Give money to humanitarian organizations?
Help find homes for refugees from around the world?
Be a better listener?
Volunteer in your local elementary school?
Be kinder to your own children?
Force an intervention on an addicted family member?
Become an advocate for the marginalized?
Take immediate action the next time you see an injustice?
Tell the people you love that you love them–every day?

Friends, don’t ever think you alone cannot make a difference.  Every single one of us has the ability to make a difference in this world.  No deed or effort is too small.  The need may be right in your own household or the world away.

Bad stuff happens, and that won’t change, but when you use your time, efforts, and/or resources to affect the life of just one person, you’ve helped to make this world a better place.

Much love,

Jill xx