Kristen Harris’s Reviews > The Voice of the Heart: A Call to Full Living > Status Update

“Anger reveals what matters to us. When something matters to us, we are willing to make choices and commitments.” (82)

“Anger, then, creates movement.” (86)

This was a very important chapter for me as I have been feeling anger but have been afraid to engage with it. I’d rather avoid it, but I understand now how that muddies one’s commitments and bars the way forward. This chapter has been a good guide.

“Sadness is the feeling that speaks to how much you value what is missed, what is gone, and what is lost. It also speaks of how deeply you value what you love, what you have, and what you live.” (69)

“Tears are gifts that we give to whatever we lose.” (74)

A brief but beautiful chapter on sadness. It reminds me of the gift of tears chapter in Soul Making by Alan Jones, which I also really appreciated.

Loneliness. Summer tends to be a lonely time for me, and as I grow up in general I’m learning to admit I’m really afraid to walk this world alone. I’ve caught myself wishing that I could be enough for myself or that I didn’t care so much, but self-sufficiency is an illusion and apathy is dangerously dehumanizing. Don’t try to deny or shame yourself out of loneliness when you are made for relationships.

“When you admit that life has gotten to you with words and deeds, you take a daring and courageous step. For in the admission of hurt, you also expose your wish for healing.” (48)

This is similar to a line by Lewis Hyde that struck me recently as I have started reading The Gift again: “we shall lose that life which remains unarticulated.” (247)

We can’t live fully and forward without expressing honestly.