Daniel J. Paul

“Relationships are the currency of the heart.” – Author unknown

In the past nine months, I have covered topics dealing with empathy and emotional manipulation. This next article centers on currency of the heart. You may ask, “What is it?” Well, think of “currency of the heart” as an emotional value (capital) that acts as either a positive (deposit) or negative (withdrawal effect on building or destroying relationships).

The cornerstone in building a relationship centers on building trust and creating a bond on an emotional level. These can be achieved by our actions and verbal responses such as small acts of kindness, positive meaningful comments, keeping confidences, active listening, surprise gifts, being reliable on various commitments, or just by being there for others when they are encountering difficult situations. In turn, it will foster trust that will create and strengthen emotional bonds. These emotional deposits will also enrich and give purpose to life, not only to oneself but to others as well.

However, on the other hand, emotional currency of the heart can be stifled and eroded by continual withdrawals on credibility. Examples of this are as follows: being consistently non-supportive, placing one’s self before others, lack of sympathy, unappreciativeness, neglecting to follow through on commitments, lying, perpetually spreading rumors, embellishing facts, being untrustworthy, and engaging in hurtful acts.

In conclusion, currency of the heart is a most precious commodity. It positively enhances the quality of one’s life with family, friends, and within the workplace. Its centerpieces are trust, empathy, and the building of healthy relationships. In turn, one tends to accrue a wealth of profound joy and enrichment in one’s life. I believe the Lord would like us to experience and to partake in the “currency of the heart.”

“People will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel.” – Maya Angelou

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Daniel J. Paul is a retired school administrator. His columns focus on education, old-fashioned family values, relationships and other topics. Contact him at meaningfuldifferences@gmail.com.