Seven Of Hearts

Whether you realize it or not, your heart defines you. What you say, what you do, what your passions are, and what you care about, make up a large portion of who you are. And just like personality, the type of heart changes from person to person. Here are some examples of hearts that I've come across:

• Tender Heart

These people are rather emotional, but really feel for others. They like to be connected to people and are passionate about the issues of anyone who cares to share. These people "wear their heart on their sleeve."

• Braveheart

It's hard to find something these people aren't passionate about. When these people get into something, they get really, really into it. They also stand firm on what they believe in, and fight for what is right. 

• Warm Heart

These people are an all-around joy to be with. They make everyone feel welcomed and enjoy doing so. Everyone loves being in their company.

• Sweetheart

While most are shy at first, they are all super-nice people once you get to know them. They also know a lot more than they let on because they tend to observe people more than they talk to. None of these people would ever harm a fly. 

• Wise Heart

These people take all issues to heart and carefully calculate all options before going through with something. They seek the council of others and do everything they can to be sure they are on-point with whatever they are doing. While all hearts mentioned so far can be good friends, these people are  especially invaluable because they are so practical with problem solving. 

• Bursting Heart

These people have more love than their hearts can contain, so they pass it out to everyone else. They are positive, energetic, and are always looking to put a smile on a face.

So these are most of the hearts I have encountered in my life. I probably didn't mention every single heart that there is, so if you don't see yourself on this list, then I apologize. But I made this list for a reason; to show that everyone has a unique heart for something. When we start to see these hearts, that's when we make connections with people. That is how you can tell when people are real and true. As great as these hearts are, there is one that you want to avoid having:

• Stone Heart

Also sometimes referred to as "Calloused heart", these people are withdrawn, stubborn, and impenetrable to emotion or feeling. They avoid interaction with others and aren't shaken by any event, good or bad. If this type of heart is ever broken, it is usually because of divine intervention, or a wake-up call.

You can learn a lot about a person just by watching how they act. If they act justly most of the time, they can probably be trusted. If they are constantly wronging people, then you should probably be wary. While this seems like common sense, it astounds me how many people overlook this or choose to ignore the signs. When discerning if someone can be trusted or not, keep this simple concept in mind: it's always the hearts of people that do good, and always the hearts of people that do evil. There is no excuse for your actions. Example: If someone tries their best to be morally upright but makes a lot of mistakes, that's fine; they are human. But if someone keeps doing wrong and pleads ignorance, immoral advice, laziness, influence or something else, then that should be a fair indication to be careful. No one is responsible for your actions but you. So know who your friends are, and be careful of those who don't have a clear, defined heart. So ask yourself this: What does your heart tell you? What does it tell others? I think this quote adequately summarizes what I just discussed:

“To love at all is to be vulnerable. Love anything and your heart will be wrung and possibly broken. If you want to make sure of keeping it intact you must give it to no one, not even an animal. Wrap it carefully round with hobbies and little luxuries; avoid all entanglements. Lock it up safe in the casket or coffin of your selfishness. But in that casket, safe, dark, motionless, airless, it will change. It will not be broken; it will become unbreakable, impenetrable, irredeemable. To love is to be vulnerable.”

-C.S. Lewis