Hi, this is Monique Rhodes. Welcome to the In Your Right Mind Podcast, where we're learning how to be happier by working with our minds.
If you'd like to know more about what I teach, come to iintendtobehappy.com and let’s get you started on the path to being happier.
The Weight of the World
I spoke with someone yesterday who said something many of us feel.
They told me the world feels divided—exhausting.
They want to make a difference, but it all feels too big… too overwhelming.
And I understand.
We see so much suffering. So much conflict.
And the media? It thrives on amplifying it.
We’re flooded with pain that previous generations wouldn’t have even known existed.
And it leaves us wondering—where do we even begin?
It Starts So Much Closer to Home
We often talk about peace like it’s something world leaders must negotiate.
Something massive. Global. Strategic.
But I told this person what I’ll tell you now:
Peace doesn’t start out there.
It starts right here.
- In your heart.
- In my heart.
- In how we show up in the tiny, ordinary moments of our lives.
It’s how we speak to others.
How we speak to ourselves.
How we respond when we feel afraid or threatened.
The Chain Reaction of the Heart
Every act of cruelty starts with a choice—
A moment where someone feels pain… and closes off.
And that shutdown? It spreads.
One person lashes out, and it triggers another.
Soon we’re all bracing, defending, hardening.
And we become convinced—we’re on opposite sides.
But here's the truth:
Just as harm spreads… so does love.
So does compassion.
So does an open heart.
The Power of One Open Heart
Maybe you let someone be messy in front of you.
Maybe you're kind even when you're tired.
Maybe you choose curiosity over judgment.
And in doing that, you interrupt the cycle.
You choose not to pass your pain forward.
You give someone else the gift of feeling safe—of staying open too.
That matters.
More than you may ever know.
Staying Open Is Revolutionary
We're told to be tough.
To protect ourselves.
To keep moving.
But that comes at a cost: disconnection.
Division.
Loneliness.
And we carry that like a weight… until something softens, and we finally breathe.
So if all you can do today is keep your heart open—
Even just a little—
You’re changing the world.
You Matter More Than You Know
Maybe we can’t fix everything.
But we can stop adding to the suffering.
We can be the ones who break the chain.
So ask yourself—
What’s your heart doing today?
- Is it tightening or softening?
- Closing or opening?
Because your answer doesn’t just shape your day—
It shapes the world we all live in.
That’s real power.
And it starts with you.
I hope this has been helpful. As always, be kind, take care, and go gently in the world.
