Map Your Heartbreak - Change the World
The first step to meaningful philanthropy is identifying an issue or cause that really matters to you. It’s important because, unless your heart is in it, unless you truly feel passionate about something, it’s difficult to stay committed and involved over time.
“If you want to find your passion, surrender to your heartbreak.
Your heartbreak points toward a truer north…”
– Umair Haque
Educator Angela Maiers says, “Finding your passion; surrendering to your heartbreak is really about finding what really moves you. Discovering what ticks you off and breaks your heart may be the first step in that direction.”
When something truly breaks your heart, you feel compelled to do something about it. You believe the world needs what you have and are driven to take action and make a change.
So, What Matters to You? What Are You Passionate About?
Following your heartbreak begins with Heart Mapping, a process that can be done individually or as a group. You may identify a topic or issue area, like a recent school shooting or a favorite pond, or keep the brainstorming broad.
1. Start by drawing a heart on a large sheet of paper. Draw a line down the middle dividing it in half. On the left side of the heart, draw or write things you are passionate about using these questions to guide your thinking:
- What makes you happy? Where are you happiest? Why?
- What are you proud of?
- Who do you love? Who do you admire? Why?
- What’s the most fun you’ve ever had? What’s your favorite memory?
- What possession or activity is most important to you or brings you joy? Why?
- What makes your heart swell?
- What do you love about the designated topic?
- Note: if the topic is something negative, like a school shooting, adjust the left half to defining the ideal, like "What defines a safe space?"
2. Next, ask yourself, what breaks your heart about any of these things. On the right side of the heart, draw or write all the things that break your heart.
For example, you might be passionate about cooking, but it breaks your heart that someone doesn't have access to good food. Or you might be passionate about reading, but it breaks your heart that good books are not available to all. You may love a local pond, but it breaks your heart that many plants are dying out. You may appreciate a space where you are heard, but it breaks your heart that people are acting like school shootings are not preventable.
3. Now, in space around the outside of your heart, draw or write your ideas big and small for ways to address these issues. Each idea represents a step you can take to make a positive change.
Here are a few questions to guide your thinking:
- what creative or new activity could make a difference?
- Who are the specific people or places that need support?
- What are the everyday things they do or we can do together?
- What resources already exist that I can support?
These kids turned their heartbreaks into breakthroughs:
- Richard Turere: My Invention That Made Peace With Lions
- 10 Great Philanthropists Who Are Kids
- Young People Making a Difference - Kids Who Changed the World
- Eight Kids Making a Difference
You can, too!
Variations … Heart-to-Heart Connections
- Rather than mapping your heartbreak on your own, pair up with a friend or two. Then use color-coded sticky notes to add your ideas for resolving your heartbreak issues.
- Extension … Turn Your Heartbreak into Breakthroughs: A practical next step would be to learn more about your heartbreak issue. Internet searches, conversations with people affected by the issue, as well as with people already working for change, are all great places to start. You will quickly find that the answer to one question leads to another, and another, but your path will soon become clear.
- Capture and share what you have learned about your heartbreak issue and your ideas for resolving it using one of the many online infographic tools, like Glogster, Easel.ly, or Visual.ly. Or make a YouTube or Vine video. Upload your infographic or video to social media sites to inspire others who share your heartbreak to get involved.
Video Directions
Share Your Hearts With Us!
We will happily share your heartbreak map and breakthroughs on the Learning to Give website. Just send them to [email protected]