I lowered myself into the gym’s hot tub, and that’s where I met two smiling gents, one Jim and the other Richard. I’d guess they are both in their seventh or eighth decade. They shared that calm countenance that’s more common with age. We said hello as our noggins floated above the water’s surface like three beachballs. Jim had recently seen a movie that touched him.
“It’s not a new movie,” he said. “But it’s a sweet story. A romance. Not really a comedy, but it has those moments too. Have you seen Return to Me?” I wasn’t sure, so I asked him to tell me more. He told me just a little bit about the movie, and even more about how much he wanted all of his friends to see it.
I smiled as the vision of Jim and his group of friends communing at the coffee shop was painted before my eyes. Jim was there with his copy of Return to Me, and he was trying to lend the DVD to each and every one of them, only to discover he was the only one who still owns a DVD player.
Starring Minnie Driver and David Duchovny, it’s a heart story in a couple of ways. I promised I’d watch it (Amazon rental, $3.99) and next time we see each other, we could talk about it. As I said goodbye, I realized in that conversation, this gentleman had helped me answer a question.
Recently, I’ve been trying to pinpoint what stories I most love to write and produce. I figured it out: Heart stories.
Some people think heart-centric storytelling is story lite. But from where I sit, heart stories are the heavyweights. Heart stories are the crafty tough ones. Heart stories rattle us with their disarming honesty and truth. They’re rarely exactly about the heart. They’re stories that show us everything a person does, endures, experiences, overcomes…that reveals the heart.
We identify with heart stories because of the struggle inside of them. Because of their visceral nature. And because they're primal.
Six years ago, in 2017, I wrote and published a fable. The characters I created in the little book are six years old today too.
The book is called Get in the Ring: The Tale of Bruno the Boxer. And it’s a simple heart story. It’s meant to inspire the scared one inside each of us to find courage to do the thing our heart longs to do, if only fear wasn’t running such a strong defense. Until one day, our offense is so tired of losing and playing small, that we go all in.
Years later, as I read the book now, I cringe a little. I cringe at the first cover I created through a template on a shoestring. The painting of the puppy was my work, but the cover was dreadful and needed a serious upgrade. A few years later, I worked with a professional to have this one designed, and I love it.
There are things I would change about the content now too. I’m telling you this because we don’t get anywhere without putting ourselves out there and shooting our shot, imperfectly. For now, the story is just about Bruno’s transformation, and that’s ok, because each of you is Bruno. I am Bruno. We are all Bruno. And we all need our Grace and our Pops and even our Bear to help get us through.
As Mental Health Awareness Month draws to a close, we know the fight goes on. And we need to remember how heart can help us regain some balance… And remember that heart is the beat that pulls us forward.
It takes heart to get in a boxing ring.
It takes heart to innovate.
It takes heart to create.
It takes heart to show up for your morning routine when no one’s watching you build your character and identity.
It takes heart to exercise discipline.
It takes heart to be accountable.
It takes heart to show up for the people in your life.
It takes heart to be loyal.
It takes heart to comfort others in their low times and cheer them in their high times.
It takes heart to show you care.
It takes heart to put others first.
It sometimes takes heart to put yourself first.
It takes heart to remember the light shines on all of us.
It takes heart to step into the spotlight, and it sometimes takes heart to step into the shadows.
It takes heart to say please and thank you.
Today, show your heart.
Show your heart by being patient in traffic.
Show your heart by listening and then asking a follow up question.
Show your heart by remembering we need to slow down to speed up.
Show your heart by voicing your love and appreciation to a loyal friend, mentor or family member.
Show your heart by extending grace to a stranger.
Show your heart by extending grace to yourself.
I’ll close here with a favorite quote from Jane Goodall:
"Only when our clever brain and our human heart work together in harmony can we achieve our true potential.”
*For those interested in this book, it’s available on Amazon or through the BOOKS section of my website.