Nature Mandala: Speak from the heart
Speak from the Heart
When words matter, let them rise from the place that knows you best.
Speaking from the heart is not about eloquence or perfectly polished phrasing. It is about honesty over performance, vulnerability over perfection, and presence over presentation. It asks us to soften the instinct to impress and instead choose the courage to be real. The heart longs to be expressed, not flawlessly, but truthfully.
To speak from the heart, we must first pause.
Pause and feel. Before words form, breathe. Notice what is alive within you… joy, grief, longing, gratitude. Let that feeling shape your language. When we slow down enough to sense our inner landscape, our words carry depth and resonance. They are no longer reactions; they become reflections. A single conscious breath can soften defensiveness and open the door to clarity.
Be simple and specific. Grand declarations often pale beside small, honest details. Plain language, offered sincerely, has power. Simplicity is not small… it is spacious enough for truth. A quiet “I missed you” can hold more love than paragraphs of explanation. A gentle “I’m afraid” can shift the course of a difficult conversation.
Own your experience. Use “I” statements. Speak from your perspective rather than assigning motives or judgments. “I felt hurt.” “I hoped for more.” “I needed to feel accepted.” Ownership creates clarity without accusation. It builds bridges instead of walls. When we claim our feelings, we invite understanding instead of resistance.
Embrace imperfection. Authenticity is more human than flawless rhetoric. Your voice may tremble. Your sentences may wander. That is part of the beauty. As Rumi wrote, “Let yourself be silently drawn by the strange pull of what you really love.” The heart does not speak in bullet points. It speaks in pulses. It speaks in pauses. It speaks in truth wrapped in breath.
And perhaps most importantly, listen first. To speak from the heart is also to make space for another’s truth. Deep listening is an act of respect. When we truly hear someone, we create safety. Conversation becomes communion. As Mary Oliver asked so tenderly, “Tell me, what is it you plan to do with your one wild and precious life?” When we listen deeply, we allow others to answer that question in their own way.
This spirit of heartfelt expression is embodied in “Speak from the Heart,” a nature mandala I crafted from the delicate petals and textured seeds of rosa rugosa, beach roses known for their resilience and soft, open beauty. The gentle pinks and curved forms symbolize openness and emotional courage. Each petal was placed with intention, forming a balanced, meditative heart pattern that draws the eye inward, inviting reflection before response.
The mandala’s design honors mindful space. Its heart shape is as important as its blossoms, just as listening with the heart is as vital as speech. The circular form becomes a visual anchor for journaling, meditation, or sincere conversation. It reminds us that clarity begins in stillness and that beauty often arises from patience.
This piece offers a daily invitation: pause, feel, and say what matters. Let conversations be real. Let tenderness replace defensiveness. Let truth be gentle. Let love guide your tone.
When you speak from the heart, you cannot control the outcome. But your words will carry honesty, courage, and care, and that is enough.
May your words be brave.
May they be kind.
May they come from the heart.
Michelle Wallace is a visual artist based in Vermont, known for her intricate nature mandala designs, which she has been crafting by hand since 2017. Her work is available in select stores throughout New England and online through her Nature Mandala Shop.