A Damn Fool’s Guide to Saving the World
Why openheartedness feels like madness—until it becomes revelation.
If every single person on the planet opened their heart simultaneously, several things would happen:
First, for ninety seconds, the entire world would wail, as we human beings release the pain we've trapped inside of us our whole lives. The sound of that uprising would be so great it would echo in interstellar space.
Then, for the rest of the day, a hushed, exhausted silence would come over the planet as billions of people wonder quietly if this feeling of being completely emptied out—hollowed out, dried out, turned inside-out—is the beginning of a deep depression.
Finally, the next morning, every grace-kissed soul on this rock would wake up with more energy, vibrancy, passion, and goodwill than they could have previously imagined, as all the joy that’s been trapped beneath all that sorrow begins to flow again, as well.
In the words of Catholic monk Thomas Merton, instantaneously:
"There would be no more war, no more hatred, no more cruelty, no more greed."
In the original Greek, the root of the word apocalypse does not mean "the end of the world." It is translated literally as "revelation" or "disclosure." It refers to the uncovering of something that was previously hidden. In other words, this moment of planetary openheartedness would be an apocalypse of togetherness, as we regain access to our most wounded parts, which just so happen to be our most loving parts, as well.
Of course, if you could count on everyone opening their hearts, you'd be crazy to let yourself be left behind.
Given that few are likely to take you up on the bargain, though, you'd have to be a damn fool to open up at all.
When we open our hearts to let pain out, we’re also opening our hearts to let pain in. Therefore, while you're opening, the risk always feels like it outweighs the rewards. Then again, once your heart is all the way open, the difference between risk and reward disappears altogether—it’s all one. However, that truth cannot be taught in advance, only touched in awakening.
Dear Reader, today I just want to say how grateful I am that you’re here with me, creating a community of openhearted souls.
It's never felt better to be a damn fool.
Hey, don’t go just yet! I’d love to hear your reaction to this in the comments, but if you’re not feeling comment-y today, you can still support this message by tapping the LIKE and/or RESTACK buttons below. Your support of our community is much appreciated!
I have been on this open-hearted journey for many years, and I have never felt less a fool. Your posts have always resonated in my heart and inspired me to take the next steps to open my closed, wounded heart. I feel like I am at a point where my heart is able to stay open, realizing that it is strong enough, and full of enough Devine love for myself and all the billions of people on earth. It is an incredible feeling. Thank you for continuing to spread this message that you started telling us about so many years ago.
I did not know the original Greek meaning of apocalypse - wow - thanks for sharing that. You are right about being open hearted. And it’s possible to feel its effect on our physical bodies by simply doing it in a moment of time. Find something you balk at, resist, something that brings anger up. Imagine your actual heart opening to that thing. The difference is immediate. Sometimes I wonder what could happen if somehow we coordinated this opening of heart at the same time each day, across the world. I believe it would be significant.