What Breaks Your Heart?, by Maria Shriver

Feb-05-2018

Was bricht dir das Herz?
Von Maria Shriver

Was bricht dir das Herz? Wonach sehnt sich deine Seele? Und, wie hängt das damit zusammen, wie du jetzt dein Leben lebst?
Ich liebe diese Frage, weil sie mich dazu gebracht hat, über meine Leidenschaft und meinen Sinn auf eine ganz neue Art und Weise nachzudenken. Ich wollte es dir heute mitteilen, weil ich glaube, dass dies eine Frage ist, die für uns alle gilt. Und ich glaube auch, dass die Antwort tief in jedem einzelnen von uns steckt.
Ich bin zutiefst davon überzeugt, dass jeder von uns hier ist, um die Menschheit vorwärts zu bringen. Ich bin zutiefst davon überzeugt, dass jeder einzelne von uns sich danach sehnt, anderen zu dienen und unser Leben in einer Weise zu leben, die von Bedeutung ist.
"Was bricht dir das Herz?" ist die beste Frage, die ich je gehört habe, um einem zu helfen, der Sehnsucht der Seele näher zu kommen und der Leidenschaft und dem Sinn des Lebens näher zu kommen. Aber, ich denke, bevor man diese Frage überhaupt beantworten kann, muss man sich erst einmal eingestehen, dass das Herz gebrochen ist oder gebrochen wurde.

Ich glaube, wir denken oft, dass Herzschmerz das Ergebnis des Verlustes der Liebe ist. Natürlich kann das sein, aber Herzeleid kommt auch dann zustande, wenn das, was Sie wertschätzen, von der Gesellschaft, von Ihrer Gemeinschaft oder von anderen nicht gewürdigt wird.
Was meiner Mutter zum Beispiel das Herz gebrochen hat, war die Art und Weise, wie die Gesellschaft mit geistig Behinderten umgegangen ist, und so hat sie die Special Olympics gegründet. Einer der Punkte, der meinem Vater das Herz brach, war die Armut - finanzielle Armut und spirituelle Armut - und so entwickelte er den Krieg gegen die Armut. Das Herz meiner Tochter bricht, wenn Tiere misshandelt und am Straßenrand zurückgelassen werden, und so schrieb sie ein Buch darüber, "Maverick and Me". Das Herz meiner anderen Tochter bricht, wenn sie miterlebt, wie gleichgültig und unsensibel Menschen gegenüber denen sind, die mit psychischer Gesundheit zu kämpfen haben, und so schreibt sie Artikel, die das Verständnis für diese Themen fördern. Und so geht es weiter....

Es gibt mehrere Dinge, die mir heute das Herz brechen. Es wird durch die Tatsache gebrochen, dass wir immer noch kein Heilmittel gegen Alzheimer haben. Es wird durch die Ungerechtigkeit gebrochen, dass so viele Menschen so hart arbeiten, aber immer vonder Hanz in den Mund leben. Es wird gebrochen durch den Zustand unseres Strafrechtssystems. Es wird gebrochen, wenn man Frauen zuhört, die sich gegen den Missbrauch aussprechen, den sie viel zu lange erduldet haben.

Aber was mir jetzt wirklich das Herz bricht, ist, wie gespalten wir sind. Wie gemein wir zueinander sind. Wie kritisch wir zueinander sind. Wie wertend wir zueinander sind und wie wütend wir aufeinander sind. Außerdem, wie einsam wir alle zu sein scheinen.

Was mich jedoch bewegt, ist der tiefe Glaube, dass wir uns alle nach den gleichen Dingen sehnen. Wir alle sehnen uns danach, akzeptiert zu werden, gesehen und verstanden zu werden und in den Raum eingeladen zu werden, der uns alle wieder vereint.

Dieser Raum, so glaube ich, ist ein großes offenes Feld voller Träumer und Entdecker. Er ist mit Lehrern und Ärzten, mit Müttern und Vätern, mit Jungen und Alten bevölkert.

Was mein Herz bricht, ist auch das, was gleichzeitig mein Herz erfüllt und nährt. Es ist ein tiefer Glaube, dass wir uns ähnlicher sind als wir verschieden sind. Es ist der Glaube, dass wir uns danach sehnen, mehr vereint als getrennt zu sein. Es ist der Glaube, dass wir leiden und zusammenbrechen und dass wir die Teile wieder zusammensetzen wollen, und dass wir das gemeinsam tun wollen.

Ich sage nicht, dass die Wut, die viele von uns heute empfinden, nicht gerechtfertigt ist. Aber, lassen Sie uns unseren Zorn in die Tat umsetzen und ihm erlauben, unseren Zweck zu erfüllen. Ich stelle mir vor, dass wir alle mit gebrochenen Herzen zusammenkommen, um zu heilen und an die Arbeit zu gehen, um den Riss in unserer Spaltung zu heilen.

Das ist es, was mir das Herz bricht, aber was bricht deins? Das würde ich gerne wissen.

Fragen zum Nachdenken: Was bricht dir das Herz? Kannst du eine persönliche Geschichte von einer Zeit erzählen, in der du dich gleichzeitig erfüllt und genährt fühltest von dem, was dein Herz gebrochen hat? Was hilft Ihnen zu erkennen, dass Ihr Herz gebrochen ist oder wurde?

by Maria Shriver, excerpted from here.

Seed Questions for Reflection

What breaks your heart? Can you share a personal story of a time you felt simultaneously filled and fuelled by what broke your heart? What helps you acknowledge that your heart is or has been broken?

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Add Your Reflection

23 Past Reflections

evelyn

Sep 5, 2025

I got my broken marriage restored after my encounter with priest Adu he is a specialist in reconciliation of broken family and relationship etc contact today for more info (solutiontemple.info)

Adam S

Apr 26, 2022

for me I think it's that I can reject myself so deeply and for so long while longing to be one with things, accepted and loved by others and experience the beauty in life.

R.B.MIRUTHULAA

Dec 10, 2021

I have two
so first one is I scored less marks in the exams so that makes me feel sad
and second one is I am living in hostel so I am alone without m family that makes me heart broken

Lalit

Jan 29, 2020

Something which breaks my heart is poverty, I die when I see how parents council their kids and make excuses for not fullfillin their demands and needs.

Nana

May 4, 2019

What breaks my heart is when someone accepts abuse either to gain the approval or love of someone or because they are dependent on the abuser and have no other options.This abused could be a pet or human.

Rosemary Jo

Feb 16, 2019

Sometimes I think ...
How Beautiful to die of a Broken Heart.
I believe my parents & grandparents may have yet for all different reasons.
If we Love, we are alive. The candle burns bittersweet often - yet the glow kindles warmth.
Blessings.

Kawthar Abdeldeen

Feb 17, 2018

Unfortunately, there are many things that breaks my heart:
A parent that is abusing their child physically, verbally and publicly on the road
A man who treats the women in his life in an inferior manner because they are women
People being tortured for political, social, mental or any other reason
People torturing animals and having no remorse
The abuse of prisoners in prison rather than offering help and guidance and rehabilitating and integrating them in society after their dismissal from prison
The wars that are taking place around the world in the name of God, Religion , Freedom and all the bullshits reasons that war makers keep feeding humanity.
Many many other reasons

Ruksi

Feb 11, 2018

I hate when some body ignore me. My heart is broken when some1 reject me whether be it friend or girl friend.

Muka Feb 11, 2018

Hello Ruksi. I understand your concern, then how you cope up with situation when your gf rejected you? I am in similar pain and have no idea what to do now !!!!

Deepak

Feb 7, 2018

My heart has been broken before for the people I loved moved away and am alone today . However over the years , the healing has taken place within and have moved on . However in today's world , the heart has been broken because of the intolerance , basic lack of humanity from one being to another and hatred which seems to be growing without no end in sight . However at the same time , the heart also seems to say , ok if all these negative vibes abounds in today's world. be unstoppable and take action and that is my intention .

Ambika

Feb 7, 2018

It sends my heart quivering when I consult a doctor and he says its related to 'OLD AGE'. So therfore I'm doomed to undergo pain with no relief? So therefore getting me into a painless state is of no significance? If they think I shall suffer- they have got me wrong. I choose to not suffer.. Pain is inevitable. Suffering is optional.

ambika Feb 9, 2018

I break my own heart many a time with self defeating thoughts. It heals and mends as fast as I break it when there is a space such as this where I can express myself and not be judged. Bless his space.

dev

Feb 7, 2018

what breaks my heart is how we take life for granted and prioritize materialistic pleasure over spiritual. What breaks my heart is inequality, handful people have so much wealth yet when i pass by those multi milllion dollar houses and office i see homeless people suffering, waiting for another chance. What breaks my heart is wrongful incarceration.

Susan

Feb 6, 2018

What breaks my heart is watching is seeing so many people use others for their own selfish purposes, and then discard those they used once they have achieved what they wanted. Selfishness breaks my heart, egos that that are out of control, and the pain left in their wake.

Susanne

Feb 6, 2018

What breaks my heart is fear. Fear I believe is the underlying cause of all pain and suffering. It has become a daily practice of mine to try to release fear from my reactions, the way I view others and the way I make decisions. I am a work in progress! How can I help others to release fear? This is a question that inspires me and allows me to become more of who I am. Hopefully we can mend our broken hearts together.

Joanne

Feb 6, 2018

What breaks my heart is the racial injustice in our world. I just watched I Am Not Your Negro. Truly breaks my heart! To hate to such a degree based on skin color not only brings me to my knees, it boggles my mind. We are not born hating. We are born into a hateful environment and it alters our beliefs. Open up your heart to feel the connection to all! Speak the truth even when your voice shakes! Hold others accountable! Nurture your heart that you may freely show love to others. We can heal the world but we have to love ourself first.
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RuthAnne

Feb 6, 2018

What breaks my heart is when comments are made (referring to article) that there isn’t a cure for Alzheimer’s. What breaks my heart is the knowledge that there ARE cures for Alzheimer’s, cancer, diabetes, obesity, etc. It breaks my heart when people put all their faith and hope in pharmaceuticals. Open up to natural, holistic ways. It breaks my heart that there are food deserts here is the US. It breaks my heart that we don’t all have access to fresh, organic food. And yes I am in the Holistic Healthcare field and it breaks my heart to see people roll their eyes at the mention of homeopathic remedies. Change your diet, change your life. Stop believing your doctor know best and recognize you know best. Espavo!

Feb 6, 2018

Because the statement "what breaks your heart' so broad that I can not wrap my arms around it. That I find frustrating and breaks my heart. Excellent analysis and yet (no fault of author) no one is holding the lamp to show the way in this dark hour of humanity. All I can and will do is to accept the reality and seek contentment with what is. Not try and straighten out a dog's curly tail. LOL.

Abhishek

Feb 4, 2018

What a powerful question!

For me seeing individuals tap into their potential heals my heart - seeing it wasted breaks my heart. There is also a 'melting' of the heart that happens when something is unfolding. In my case individuals stepping up to do something of service, collectively and their small initiatives melt my heart.

They make me go "Awwww" and thats when it feels right too!

Jagdish P Dave

Feb 3, 2018

I deeply believe in the original goodness in all of us. I also deeply believe that together we can move humanity forward for greater good. And when I see people going beyond themselves to help and serve people who need help and support, my heart gets filled with, joy, hope and aspirations. But when I see people suffering from social and economic injustice, I feel pain and anger and my heart gets broken. When I see two -mouthed and two-faced behaviors of our leaders who are supposed to serve the people and not to self -serve and their parties, I not only feel anger and pain but I feel despondent. I know I need to remind myself of the original goodness residing in human heart.. When I see some compassionate and courageous leaders taking a position for common good, my pain goes away and my anger fuels my passion to join hands with such good and bold people. And I pursue my purposeful journey of helping and serving people. And I hear the song "We shall overcome" in... View full comment

me Feb 9, 2018

Amen!

david doane

Feb 3, 2018

What breaks my heart is our lack of compassion and cooperation with one another and with our environment, which is the result of our lack of awareness that we are all one, we are part of one whole that we call the universe, and all that is is sacred. Evidence of this lack of awareness is the disintegration of our society, the us vs them divisive attitude that is so prevalent, the anger and violence that erupt so easily, the lack of purpose and meaning that so many suffer, the emptiness with which so many live. I feel sad about all that, even heart broken, which seems to fill me and fuel me to live more compassionately, and I feel pleased and grateful when I do. Often I'm busy with whatever and don't notice my broken heart, but it's always there. Paying attention to the state of our world and to my own feelings makes it easy for me to feel and acknowledge my broken heart -- it becomes unignorable. Namaste

Jo Feb 9, 2018

This breaks my heart David. I feel your brokenness as my own.