Last week, after writing about the Power of Regret, I received a shocking amount of feedback. Honestly, I was blown away by the responses. I thought the information was interesting, but the feedback told me that regret is something many of us have and possibly struggle with.
Then, this week I stumbled upon an article titled "COVID-19 Causes 'Broken Heart' Syndrome Cases to Surge", which I completely believe. We saw it in our own family, as Russell, my husband's father passed away in July 2020. While he had Parkinson's Disease, he lived in a wonderful assisted living home and was doing well. However, seeing his wife each day was his highlight and what he lived for. As a result of COVID-19 protocols she wasn't able to visit him until the very end, when it was too late. In my heart of hearts, I believe his real cause of death was a broken heart, or Broken Heart Syndrome.
Back to the article, it states: "Experts say this potentially fatal stress-induced heart condition is disproportionately affecting women and showing up in the form of Takotsuba cardiomyopathy, which is a weakening of the left ventricle--the hearts main pumping chamber--usually due to severe emotional or physical stress." The article goes on to say that, "According to site research from the Institute for Research on Healthy Aging in the Department of Cardiology at the Smidt Heart Institute, although the global pandemic has posed many challenges and stressors for women, their research suggests the increase of Takotsuba diagnosis was rising before the pandemic, and their study further validates the vital role the heart-brain connection plays in overall health, especially for women."
Here's what I'd like for you to consider: You know how there are times when you randomly think of someone for no "real reason". I actually don't think this is random or a coincidence, at all. I believe it's all purposeful and the real reason is because we're all deeply connected and a Divine Power (the Holy Spirit), is communicating with us to reach out, touch base and connect with that person because one or both of us need it. We need one another.
I know we all have full lives and aren't always able to have long phone conversations or meet up for lunch every day of the week, but I want to encourage you to notice what's being communicated to you. Who pops into your heart and mind. Then, boldly reach out to that person. A simple text, phone call just to say "hi, I am thinking of you", an invitation to lunch, iGnite, or a note in the mail....anything is helpful. We are social beings, made for one another and while I'm trying to learn from my past regrets, the regret I desperately want to avoid is the "If only I'd reached out" connection regret.
Love,