Don’t Leave Your Heart Empty

I love Chinese food.  That also means I’ve opened more fortune cookies than I care to remember. Typically, I’ll read them quickly before discarding them with a laugh. But there was one fortune in particular that has always stuck with me. Sometime during my freshman year of high school, I cracked open a fortune cookie and read the following words:

“Don’t leave your heart empty.”

Wow – such deep fortune cookie wisdom, I thought to myself. And strangely, that line has stuck with me ever since. Why did those words hit me so hard? Why was I unable to shake that phrase from my mind after all these years?

Maybe the fortune was a letter from my future self to keep me searching for that answer.  And if so, it worked. That would explain why they’ve been seemingly etched in my brain throughout my life.

But the true meaning didn’t register until I met Stephanie.

I’ve been through relationships that have left me in shambles. I’m sure others can relate, being in a situation where you’re so very certain you’re going to end up with someone, only to have it end, leaving you gasping for air, wondering why. I still remember that sinking feeling, how at the time in those dark moments, nothing made sense and life didn’t seem fair.

For years, I constantly chased after the wrong ones, as if chasing butterflies like some naive child. They always seemed so close but were always out of reach.

There were so many days and nights in between finding her that I often wondered what my place was in this world and if I’d ever find someone to share my life with.

It wasn’t always easy to keep moving forward on my own. But, as my fortune advised, I didn’t leave my heart empty. I kept moving forward, unsure where I was heading, and more skeptical than ever that I’d find the one.

It would have been easy to close my heart for good and give up hope of finding that perfect someone. I’m so glad I didn’t choose that route.

Because just as I stopped looking, she appeared. After all those years aimlessly chasing butterflies, this beautiful, perfect woman magically fluttered into my life and contently rested on my shoulder. At that moment, it was easy to see why it never worked out with anyone else.

Despite many issues I’m not proud of, she continues to love me despite those many flaws. While I spent much of this year trying to rediscover myself and pursue new avenues, there she was, rooting for me, supporting me at every moment when I needed it most. She is always there, believing in me with all of her heart, reminding me to believe in myself when I am doubting everything.

I can’t tell you how much it means to me to have her by my side. Every day she continues to make me stronger and working together, there’s no challenge we can’t overcome.

It’s hard to imagine that in just 7 years’ time, someone once a stranger grew to become seemingly another limb I couldn’t possibly live without.

This may seem unrelated to a blog about tiny house living, when in fact, it was the ultimate thing I was fortunate enough to stumble upon, which kick-started the entire process of simplifying my life.

Before finding my person, life was unbearable and complicated. Every single day was something I was simply trying to “get through.” I’d become so lifeless, going through the motions, barely alive.

The real magic was how quickly and easily she brought me back to life. Everything we have today would not be possible without her.

I didn’t realize how badly I needed not just a partner, but the right partner. Falling in love has simplified my life in ways I didn’t know was possible. Everything that came after that has seemed so easy because I had Stephanie by my side.

The message I’m hoping to share here is this: do not give up hope or close off your heart from the world. It may become tempting to do so. You can easily become lost and convince yourself that you’ll never find that perfect someone, but here’s the thing–it can happen at any moment.

Keep putting yourself out there, don’t be afraid to be vulnerable, and hope for the best.

It’s easy to look at all the problems in your life and become discouraged, disheartened, and feel like there’s no hope.

If you fall into this category, here’s something to remember:

If you ever start to feel like you’re not even worthy of finding that someone, and hopelessly feel as though you’ll never find anyone at all—you are, and you will.

As long as you keep putting yourself out there, it’s not a matter of if, but when.

And when you finally do find that perfect partner, everything in your life becomes that much easier.

Paths will begin to align in incredible ways.

Life will begin to make sense in all the ways it disappointed you before.

No matter how sour you believe your path may be heading, there is light around the corner. Don’t lose hope and all the days ahead could be the best in your life.

You may have been hurt in the past, you may have failed in pursuit of something, but that doesn’t define you, and that’s not who you are.

You aren’t the bad things people may have said about you or what others may think about you. You are who you are despite all those things.

No matter what has happened before this moment, as long as you continue to move forward with a full heart, you’ll always be better than you were before.

Walk away from the things that drag you down and focus on what lifts you up and makes you feel alive.

Allow light and joy to trickle on in, even in those darkest moments when you’re doubting everything. No matter how you may feel at this given moment, remember, this isn’t the end of your story. Your life could look different from the days, weeks, months, even a year from now.

Keep your head up.

Something beautiful is awaiting you just around the corner.

And of course, never forget the infamous fortune cookie wisdom to live by:
Don’t leave your heart empty.

Oh, and Happy 4th Wedding Anniversary to my Steffy!  I love you!