"HEARTACHE IS A GIFT!"

This is a beautiful submission to FPL from "J", a reader who has 

discovered the power of an open heart.

HEARTACHE IS A GIFT 

It reminds you that your heart beats. It reminds you that you are capable of 
love. That you are an open channel. 

Heartache is avoided by so many. As if it were sickness. They confuse ache 
with pain, thinking pain is to be avoided. But heartache isn't pain. 

When you exercise, run, lift, climb, work, and travel far, your body aches. 
Because of the exertion. Because your muscles have been broken down so they can 
reknit, grow stronger, become more powerful. So you go further, climb higher, 
lift more, run faster the next time. 

We are accepting of this kind of ache, and yet we fear heartache. But it is the 
same feeling. The ache  of being broken down, leading to re-knitting to grow 
stronger. 

Most people avoid heartache at all costs. They fear it. Run from it. Pretend it 
isn't happening. Take pills to avoid it. And ultimately avoid falling in love. 
All in the quest to be safe and free from pain. 

But that brings real pain. 

We are anemic in love. Thin in our loving. Stingy and frightened. We become the 
98 pound weaklings of love. 

All because of a fear of an ache. 

Well, I say embrace the ache. Exercise your heart. Fall in love. Get crushes. 
Expose yourself. Talk. Say what you feel. Put yourself out there, and break open 
your heart. You can't break it. It's stronger than that. You can only break it 
open. Ache. And grow stronger.