WHEN THE Heart Speaks

JASON NUTTING shares his reflections on the nature of thoughts, and how to move from a first reaction in any circumstance to allowing space for the heart to speak and wisdom to emerge from within by slowing down, clearing the noise, removing the weight of the past, and connecting and aligning with something greater.

- JASON NUTTING

“The quality of your life is determined by the quality of your thoughts.” - Marcus Aurelius

But what if the thoughts that shape your life aren't truly yours?

Every moment, a thought arises. It comes fast, automatic, familiar. This is the thought shaped by past experiences, habits, and subconscious conditioning. It's not a choice; it's a reflex.

Let's call this your First Thought.

But what happens after that?

The moment between the first thought and your next move is where freedom lives.

That is where transformation happens.

That is a space where the heart speaks.

The first thought is not necessarily wise, true, or aligned with who you ought to be. It is simply familiar.

Your habitual state, your baseline level of energy and awareness, shapes this first thought. It's how you normally feel, think, and respond to life.

But when stress, pressure, or unexpected challenges arise, you enter an activated state, a surge in energy where emotions heighten, the mind speeds up, and old survival patterns take control.

This is when fear, self-doubt, and defensiveness arise most strongly.

Without awareness, the first thought in this state feels like the truth. But it's just a reaction.

This is why space matters. This is where freedom begins.

It is the mind on autopilot, reacting to life based on past programming.

• You feel resistance before trying something new.