In the life of an educator, heartbreak is inevitable. Not just for us, but for others. It’s important to know that what breaks your heart, matters. It matters to resist the temptation to become callous, to care even when it doesn’t make sense, and to choose integrity even when no one sees.
If little by little you stop loving me
I shall stop loving you little by little.
If suddenly you forget me, do not look for me
for I shall already have forgotten you.
— Pablo Neruda
Sometimes life has cruel twists and turns, forcing recovery from agonizing sorrow. Heartbreak arrives in unexpected ways, and the pain leaves scars that change us.
What breaks our hearts? It's obvious that there's no agreement on what brings grief. Surprisingly, sometimes people actually derive pleasure and celebrate the pain, misfortune, or failure of others—it's known as schadenfreude and it's dangerous because when we become that callous and cold, bridges of relationship collapse.
The shattering of a heart when being broken
is the loudest quiet ever.
— Carroll Bryant
Heartbreak doesn't have to be permanent, but it sure does feel like it in the moment.
Friends help get through adversity by being present, listening, and stifling rebuke. Discovering that colleagues or others not only are unwilling to reasonably share empathy, but actually applaud the situation destroys trust and fosters contempt.
Belonging based on the commitment to hate the same people is collective ignorance. Intelligence and wisdom should enable us to see the risks and the darkness of it.
Rejoice with those who rejoice,
weep with those who weep.
— Romans 12:15
Only with integrity are we able to inspire a legacy of authenticity and moral courage. Integrity is doing what we know is right and true even when no one else knows. Integrity is disagreeing with honor and respect, refusing to compromise our values. Integrity grows with the exercise of grace as we decide to move toward others to reconcile division when every instinct and influence demands retreat or revenge.
Grace is only grace when it is unreasonable—love in its most courageous form.
In every instance, make every effort to care beyond reason. You’ll be building heartbreak bridges that matter, proving wisdom and grace by your deeds.
