The Dilemma of the Human Heart

All organs in the body are crucial for survival.

The brain is the system administrator, slaving away day and night to insure all systems are a go, cracking the whip to keep them in line and working efficiently. Without the brain, we would fail to exist. Without its decision making capability, we would wander around like imbeciles not able to determine our next move. Without its memory retention, we couldn't recall cherished memories from days gone by, remember what we did yesterday, or be able to recite the names of our children. (I have children??)

Why then, does this trusted organ betray us?

Deep down inside, something else pulses with ferocious determination. It is said to be responsible for feelings of sadness, love, and compassion along with many others. There are tons of quotes about the passionate capabilities of the ever sensitive heart.
"She has a good heart." (I hope so! She's in trouble if she doesn't.)

"His heart is in the right place." (Ummm...there's pretty much only one place it can be.)

"Trust your heart." (I trust that if it's beating, I'm still alive!)

“The heart has eyes which the brain knows nothing of." (Eyes Without A Face...isn't that a Billy Idol tune?)

How can a mass of mindless pulsating cardiac muscle be credited with such emotional sentiment?

I'll tell you why.
It is because we yearn for hope.
When circumstances seem desperate, it's the heart that whispers reassurance. It helps us continue to search for the tiny shred of possible in the impossible, for the slim-to-none chance in ten million, and for the concealed needle in the haystack. It is responsible for the spark of passion remaining even after our brain has told us to give up.

The heart was programmed to keep the brain in check. It comes forward when our brain is torn with indecision, urging us in one direction or another.
When the heart is winning, the brain rebels. It screams, "Don't do it! It isn't the right thing! You'll be sorry!"
To which the heart calmly replies, "Look, sweetheart (Oddly, my own heart calls me 'sweetheart' in a seductive male tone) Just follow me. What's the worst thing that can happen? Come on, you know I won't steer you wrong."
Sometimes the internal chaos produces feelings of sickness; the back and forth turmoil as a result of indecision. We blame it on nerves, but it isn't nerves. It's the battle waging between our virtuous heart and realistic brain. While the brain pummels us with cold hard facts, the heart argues a soft, but persuasive rebuttal that promises what we are all searching for...hope.
You can't live without either of these organs.
Which one wins?

© RC Woods and rc-woods.com 2015.

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