Sometimes, life feels like we are standing behind a very thick, frosted window. We can see the warmth of the world outside, but we feel a bit chilly and isolated on our side. Morrie Schwartz’s beautiful words remind us that the secret to truly living isn't about hoarding our energy or protecting ourselves from being hurt, but about opening those windows. To learn to give out love and let it come in is to embrace a continuous, flowing cycle of connection that keeps our hearts from becoming stagnant or cold.
In our everyday lives, we often get so caught up in the busyness of surviving that we forget to actually participate in the dance of affection. We might hold back a compliment because we are afraid of sounding silly, or we might stay closed off after a disappointment, thinking that being guarded is the only way to stay safe. But when we close ourselves off to receiving love, we inadvertently block the path for love to leave us, too. It is a two-way street, and a road that is blocked in one direction eventually becomes impassable in both.
I remember a time when I was feeling particularly overwhelmed by my responsibilities. I had built these little walls around my heart, thinking that if I didn't let anyone in, no one could add to my stress. I was busy, but I was lonely. Then, a dear friend showed up at my door with nothing but a warm cup of tea and a quiet presence. By simply allowing myself to be cared for and accepting that small gesture of kindness, I felt my walls begin to crumble. That tiny moment of letting love in gave me the strength to reach out and share my own warmth with others later that day.
As you move through your week, I want to encourage you to look for those small openings. Is there a person you have been meaning to text a kind word to? Is there someone in your life who has offered help that you have been too proud to accept? Try to practice this gentle exchange. Let yourself be vulnerable enough to receive a smile or a helping hand, and let yourself be brave enough to offer your own kindness to a stranger. You might find that the more you let the light in, the more brightly you begin to shine.