Thursday 19 July 2012

If He only had a Heart!!

Today Oma Linda of Old Bags and Stuftshirts is holding a blog party to celebrate the phenomenon that is OZ
My favourite character from the story is the TIN MAN, he has my 19th Heart for 31 Hearts for July
As a child I watched in awe as he was able to detach himself from situations that others found distressing or hurtful. Most people saw this as a bad thing, that it made him uncaring...he was Heartless.
I envied him. I am a very sensitive soul, who as a child suffered other peoples pain without understanding why. My dad used to say "she will cry at a dead bird on the roadside" ...and I did...often. Even this week, I moved a recently deceased squirrel from the road because I couldn't stand the thought of it being squished...like it's existence had no meaning.

(shiny metallic silver paint) 
Don't get me wrong, I eat animals as well as plants, but that does not mean I don't love and respect all life. I am not Heartless. I struggle to distance myself from the "conciousness" of living energy, so when I start feeling overwhelmed by life, I remember the Tin man, and how he remained good though distant.

You don't have to bear everyone else's emotions and pain to understand and help them. Sometimes it is better to be able to set your heart aside and see a situation just with your eyes in order to find the best solution.
That does not make you Heartless

Why not pop over to Oma Linda's place, and see where the yellow brick road leads you?
Enjoy :D XXX
Photobucket

26 comments:

  1. We seem to love the man who supposedly doesn't have a heart for the for the exact same reasons. I've always believe that although our hearts might and should be consulted during the decision making process, the critical thinking abilities or the brain are usually more apt when it comes to making the most appropriate choices.

    I do have a heart, but it comes loaded with a brain. Now, if I could only get those choose ;-)

    ReplyDelete
  2. Very good thoughts on Heart and Heartless! As you have pointed out, being Heartless is not always a bad thing. Great contribution to the Celebrate Oz party!!

    ReplyDelete
  3. Gina: until very recently, I wouldn't have felt what you said. I would only have mentally digested what you wrote. Now with the help of literally pulling myself back together...after many years of disassociation, I am with you and Magaly. A heart with a mind. This was a fantastic subject for Celebrate Oz...we must celebrate life. You kicked it girl. Thanks for being part of Celebrate Oz. Oma Linda

    ReplyDelete
  4. How beautiful, and I feel your sensitivity and pain. I am always very aware of my surroundings, and feel the emotions of all involved. Sometimes it turns me into a veritable Cassandra, but as a child it just made me cry in my sleep. I love the Tin Man, too. And I love your excellent post!

    ReplyDelete
  5. Your tin man looks great, the heart is a great eye catcher. I agree to your thoughts.

    ReplyDelete
  6. This reminds me of that American Army poster ;0) lovely work as always G. xx

    ReplyDelete
  7. Oh Gina this is such a lovely post and you are such a sweet woman! I wished for years I could be the Tin man but I am now happy I am a sensitive soul.
    Big Hug Xx

    ReplyDelete
  8. Gina, We feel very much alike on this but you have said it so much better than I ever could. While growing up I was told that caring and having strong feelings were a sign of weakness and that I had to learn to mask these emotions if I was ever going to get along in this world. Thare have been a time or two that I've been told I have no feelings or that I must be heartless. I like what you and Magaly have said, a heart with a mind. It sounds so much better than being called heartless. BTW your painting of the Tin Man is great. xo

    ReplyDelete
  9. I don't know what to say Gina. As my english is very bad, i cannot express my feelings or thoughts in the right way that i want to. So all i can say i love your Oz post very much girl! xoxo Donna

    ReplyDelete
  10. An interesting and thoughtful "take" on the Tin Man -- thank you!

    ReplyDelete
  11. I do feel many days that we have lost our way to be 'in tune' with nature and respect all life. really something to think on. great post

    ReplyDelete
  12. What a lovely blog you have here! I love the warning by the way, my eyebrows went up but I bravely forged ahead and arrived here! Interesting take on the tinman, really enjoyed this post!

    ReplyDelete
  13. Thank you for your lovely comment on my Oz post, and what a great post you wrote to celebrate oz. Thank you for sharing :)

    ReplyDelete
  14. Gina, I love what you wrote! Made me think! This post for Celebrate Oz is wonderful! Thank you! I love your Tin Man ;o)

    ReplyDelete
  15. Gina I love that you are sensitive and maybe it is your biggest strength.
    My aunt once told me I should hire out as a professional cryer for weddings and funerals!
    You are just perfect!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. haha..me too Marie....3 sisters all weeping at the drop of a hat...we always got invited to funerals :S

      Delete
  16. I love this, i too cry, i hit a bird today and almost had to pull over i felt so upset. It's very hard to not have soooo much empathy sometimes, i can't read the paper, it's too upsetting to hear all that bad news......
    I missed abunch of your posts lately and just wanted to say i love the family portrait, the shrinking heart... I may need to try that, and loved the post about your sexy hubby with the expanding waist!

    ReplyDelete
  17. Your Tinman is fantastic! He really looks like he's made of metal instead of paint! I always feel horrible when I see an animal on the side of the road and get really queasy... You're very brave to move the squirrel off the side of the road.
    Anyway, let's end on a happy note... Nice artwork!

    ReplyDelete
  18. Gina I really enjoyed what you wrote, many times I've wondered what it would be like to not care or not be as sensitive, I can't watch a war movie, medical drama, a tear-jerker, maybe that's why I end up watching Sci-Fi or comedy, I don't watch the news either :/ The local vet probably cringes as I come in with injured birds that have hit cars (they fix up the native animals & rerelease them), or dogs that may be lost so the vet can find the owner, my hubby reckons I take them to the vet when they've just gone out for a pee & could find their way home themselves LOL... anyway I like your tinman very much, he found his heart in the end, he just had it well hidden ;)

    ReplyDelete
  19. Oh I hear you...sometimes I wish I could distance myself and not feel as much as I do, instead I seem to feel everything for everyone instead. Always a balance, but I would rather care than not care. This was a lovely post. xx

    ReplyDelete
  20. Lovely Tinman! Here in Italy we don't have a great knowledge of The Wizard of Oz or Alice in Wonderland. I know them because I read them when I was a child, but I don't think our youngters know them from the books.... :))

    ReplyDelete
  21. Hearts get us into so much trouble and yet we bash the person who does not seem to use theirs.

    ReplyDelete
  22. This is an absolutely beautiful post full of meaning and purpose. Your tin man is amazing! Hugs to you, Mina

    ReplyDelete
  23. I'm making my rounds a bit late but am so happy to have visited. I love what you shared about the tin man. Although I would never wish this type of empathy on others I must admit it is comforting to know others possess the same sensitivity to life's circumstances despite how weary it can make us.
    ♥Sharon

    ReplyDelete