Own Your ONE Thing

“Here is my secret. It is very simple: it is only with the heart that one can see rightly. What is essential is invisible to the eye.” — Antoine de Saint Exupéry

Owning your ONE Thing is not the same as owning a house or a car! It’s owning the task that only you can accomplish. To understand this task not only means understanding your unique skills - but also taking time to “see with your heart”.

Here are three ways to “see with your heart”.

1. Practice Deep Listening and Empathy
Seeing with the heart begins with the art of listening—not just with the intent to reply, but with the aim to truly understand. This form of deep listening involves fully immersing yourself in the other person's words, emotions, and unspoken feelings. It's about listening to the silence between words, recognizing the emotions behind the facade, and responding with empathy and compassion. To develop this skill, engage in conversations with an open heart and mind.

Make a conscious effort to set aside your judgments and preconceptions. Focus on the speaker, observing not only what is said but also the tone, body language, and what might be left unsaid. Empathy bridges the gap between seeing and feeling, allowing you to connect with others on a profound level.

2. Cultivate Mindfulness and Presence
Mindfulness is the practice of being fully present and engaged in the moment, aware of your thoughts and feelings without judgment. By cultivating mindfulness, you can learn to see with your heart by appreciating the beauty and depth of the present moment. This practice encourages you to observe the world around you with a sense of wonder and curiosity, opening your heart to the intricacies and interconnectedness of life. To practice mindfulness, begin with simple meditation exercises.

Spend time in nature, observing the intricacy of a leaf or the vastness of the sky. Engage all your senses: notice the sights, sounds, smells, and textures. Mindfulness teaches you to experience the world through the heart's lens, finding joy and beauty in the ordinary.

3. Embrace Vulnerability
Vulnerability is the cornerstone of heart-centered seeing. It involves opening yourself up to the full range of human experiences, including pain, joy, love, and loss. Seeing with the heart means being willing to experience vulnerability, both in yourself and in recognizing it in others. This requires courage to face your fears, to love without guarantees, and to be genuine in your interactions.

Embrace vulnerability by sharing your feelings openly, asking for help when you need it, and expressing love and appreciation freely. When you allow yourself to be vulnerable, you create space for genuine connections, empathy, and a deeper understanding of the human condition.

Each of these practices—deep listening and empathy, mindfulness and presence, and embracing vulnerability—guides you toward seeing with your heart. This way of seeing goes beyond the superficial, touching the essence of life and connecting you to the world in a meaningful, profound way. By cultivating these practices, you can begin to uncover the beauty and truth that can only be perceived through the heart.