The Institute of Heartmath, a leading non-profit on the impact of emotions and stress on well-being, has been able to scientifically prove the impact of people’s love on the Earth’s magnetic field. We are literally able to influence the buzz of the planet simply by opening our hearts.

Now the power of slow is about mindful living, but where would the mind be without the heart? Mind-heart integration is essential for a life well lived.

When my children were younger, I used to illustrate the importance of this integration to them by doing what I do best: storytelling.

I would tell them the tales of Mr. Heart and Mr. Head, who were often at odds with one another. Admittedly, I was trying to teach them patience so Mr. Head became the antagonist in every story. Mr. Head simply wanted what he wanted when he wanted it. And Mr. Heart’s standard response to Mr. Head’s demand was:

“Do you think that’s a good idea?”

Inevitably, it wasn’t. Mr. Heart would then lovingly remind Mr. Head that every choice has a consequence, but also an invaluable lesson to be learned.

Oftentimes our head is in conflict with our heart. In real life, not every heart-based decision leads to a happy end. Sometimes we feel what we feel, and that’s okay too. As I often say, it is not the feeling that hurts as much as our judgement about that feeling. Our minds are there to protect us from harm, but the irony is most often it is the illusion of harm that the mind also designed. The mind is a tricky place as it often creates the very scenarios it fears.

Crazy, huh?

In my view, the art of heartfulness starts by residing in a space of silence and reflection. To do so, you simply must slow down. Take five minutes and ask yourself: “What do I really want? What does my heart say?” It can be unusual (and in some cases, painful) to eliminate the white noise in your life — to really listen, perhaps for the first time since you were a child. But I promise you this: when you turn on the faucet of your heart, an outpouring of amazing proportions will occur.

Your love, my friends, will envelope the sky.