According to Merriam-Webster:
Heart
Pronunciation:
\ˈhärt\Function:
nounEtymology: Middle English
hert, from Old English
heorte; akin to Old High German
herza heart, Latin
cord-, cor, Greek
kardiaDate: before 12th century
1 a: a hollow muscular organ of vertebrate animals that by its rhythmic contraction acts as a force pump maintaining the circulation of the blood b: a structure in an invertebrate animal functionally analogous to the vertebrate heart c: breast , bosom d: something resembling a heart in shape ; specifically : a stylized representation of a heart
It's weird when we get hurt most that you really feel the pain in your chest where your heart is. I guess this is why we akin a breaking heart to what is supposed to be considered a mental function. Maybe the heart works a lot when we feel this pain, or maybe it can't pump normally. Either way, this is where it hurts the most.
2 a: a playing card marked with a stylized figure of a red heart bplural : the suit comprising cards marked with hearts cplural but sing or plural in constr : a game in which the object is to avoid taking tricks containing hearts
A playing card with a stylized heart. A game in which the object is to avoid taking tricks containing hearts. This can be a reason as to why some people call love a game. - why one should play their cards right during courtship, why there is the need for strategy to win someone else's heart. I've always frowned upon people who believe that one can take their own and other's hearts like cards for play. Matters of the heart are never games.
3 a: personality , disposition heart> bobsolete : intellect
Personality. Disposition. Naive as it may seem, I believe that hearts in this case only have a primary personality. The disposition of a negative heart (i.e. a cold heart, a savage heart, a heart of stone) is merely the disguise, a defense mechanism of what the true disposition of a heart is. The primary disposition of a heart is that which loves, which is warm and open.
4: the emotional or moral as distinguished from the intellectual nature: as a: generous disposition : compassion heart> b: love , affections heart> c: courage , ardor heart>
5: one's innermost character, feelings, or inclinations heart> heart>
4 and 5 - Emotions distinguished from the intellectual nature. A dangerous definition when taken into account by the letter. A heart simply characterized by innermost feelings, ruled by emotions is a heart that goes where the wind blows. Love is not simply an inclination, a feeling of high and happiness. A true heart is one that loves amidst the loss of that high-feeling. It is a commitment to choose the other despite what the feelings of heart tell when times go rough. Because at the core of the difficulty, sacrifice, hurt, lies the choice of loving.
6 a: the central or innermost part : center b: the essential or most vital part of something c: the younger central compact part of a leafy rosette (as a head of lettuce)
The central part, the most vital part of something? That something is life. The heart tells us the tale of our lives. But shall it be a blank piece of parchment, clean and free from pain and hurt? This is what those who are afraid to love cherish - to keep the most vital part of their being protected from all harm. But what tale does this blank pavement tell - merely an emptiness that would have never been fulfilled. The heart though vital, is not something we should guard. It is a piece of pad paper filled with scribbles and erasures. And as those pages unfold, though a happily ever after may never be the ending, comfort must be found that somehow at least you tried.
I am trying to find my heart's happy ending. I hope that is enough in the end.
