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BE PART OF THE LEGACY

TAMPA BAY • FEBRUARY 23-24 2026

This FINAL encore experience will be unlike any other. Because like everything we do, it's been "reimagined" from beginning to end. It's not a virtual or hybrid event. It's not a conference. It's not a seminar, a workshop, a meeting, or a symposium. And it's not your typical run-of-the-mill everyday event crammed with stages, keynote speeches, team-building exercises, PowerPoint presentations, and all the other conventional humdrum. Because it's up close & personal by design. Where conversation trumps presentation. And where authentic connection runs deep.

Inspiration – Mind or Heart?

Awaiting inspiration in the hope it materializes is a challenge. Difficult to ‘order’ inspiration to visit the senses. When it happens (and I am not alone in this) the desire to grab a pen and notepad overrides every other priority.

Endeavoring to attract inspiration, especially when a deadline is required can be challenging and frustrating.

Lacking inspirational spontaneity can provide a feeling of ‘distance’ from the source of creativity.

We associate our hearts with emotion, anxiety friendship, and love; pure enjoyment of a magical moment of time where a smile visits the countenance releasing unlimited joy and happiness.

THE HEART – A PUMP OR  GAME EMOTIONAL CHANGER

The ‎heart is an organ that pumps blood around the body. However, the heart has a greater significance than a pump.

Surely the brain is ‘in charge’ of driving the mechanics of the body and where all emotions, negative or positive are sourced from cerebral matter, triggering and transmitting electrical impulses. But it goes deeper than this. Feelings, sensations of the mind tend to be transferred to……….the heart.‎

Have you ever heard the phrase ‘follow my brain’? Perhaps ‘gut feeling’. What about ‘heartfelt’? Brainfelt just does not live up to the task.‎ Heartache. Brain-ache? Heart warming.  From the heart. Not from the brain.

On meeting someone where there is instant rapport, synergy, and empathy,‎ creating a sense of positive well-being, does the feeling come from the heart?  An overall sense of connectivity. Perhaps communication between the brain and heart; but the heart leads.  ‘I should have followed my heart’. ‘Lift up your heart.’

Cerebral matter does have a leading rôle but the brain runs on nerves and synapses and between the synapses microscopic ‘liquid’ acetylcholine being the bridge from one ‘circuit’  to another.

Neurotransmitters. 

And the heart?  ‎The brain has no ‘pain cells’. But the heart ‘feels pain’.

General awareness, spontaneously reacting to situations; a ‘sixth sense’ where there is a feeling of being observed by an unseen entity. Perhaps a ‘visitation’.

Enter a conference auditorium full of strangers, where subliminal senses take over regarding who to approach and engage in conversation. Be it visual, body language, or posture. Follow the gut: the heart tends to rule; then on meeting, intellect, analytical and communication skills come into play. And the brain certainly has a rôle to play.

‎There is much we do not understand about the workings of the ‘cerebral system’. Typically faster at ‘answering a question’ than technology.  Sights, sounds, scents, physical sensations, human feelings, and emotion come into play.

How often do we ‘follow’ instincts, or follow the heart; the first choice that enters our heads; via the heart or a unified equation?)

When listening to music; harmonious singing voices, where is the sense of joy received;  where do the emotions‎ come from?

A simply beautiful song accompanied by appropriate music; heart lifting and a few tears of emotion. Is that the brain? Or the heart?

On seeing a beautiful flower petal, visual yes, but if truly dramatic, it is the heart that reacts to such beauty.

And vibes; good vibes, the heart, and brain in harmony.‎

My heartfelt thanks for reading this essay.

Comments would be so welcome.

Simon Lever
Simon Lever
Prior to his retirement, Simon engaged in software and services sector search and recruitment for American companies around Europe. He has retained the enjoyment of engaging with people from other countries and cultures. His energies are now directed towards voluntary community activities, journaling, and exhibition stewardship. He is a Featured Contributor for BizCatalyst 360°. As an Exhibition Steward, at the 1000-year-old Winchester Cathedral, he is responsible for guiding visitors from the world over, around the award-winning 'Kings and Scribes Exhibition', which includes the 900-year-old Winchester Bible. The exhibition introduces visitors to Winchester's historical significance as a former capital of England. Simon's journaling activities are published on BizCatalyst 360° and accompanying posts on LinkedIn, He acknowledges the inspiration afforded him by Carol Campos of Massachusetts: Life Strategist, Writer, and Intuitive Business Leader who introduced him to writing with feeling; from the heart. Simon's forté is creative writing; the accent on the natural environment, transforming feelings, emotions, sights, sounds, and scents of Mother Nature's landscape; hills and rivers and woodland into words, transporting the reader to the locations. Essays include accounts of his life in former days. Instinctively writing in such a spontaneous manner, descriptions become life-like. His often emotionally charged writing, whether describing a surreal 'Son et Lumière' at the Grand Place in Brussels to experiences acquired during European business travel. Journaling and Exhibition Steward activities are his key sources of inspiration and creativity. Kindness is ever more important, where he is a promoter of Shelly Elsliger PPCC's 'Decide to be Kind' Campaign. Simon champions Positivity, Empathy, and Kindness and has been described as a 'Beacon of Positivity'.

DO YOU HAVE THE "WRITE" STUFF? If you’re ready to share your wisdom of experience, we’re ready to share it with our massive global audience – by giving you the opportunity to become a published Contributor on our award-winning Site with (your own byline). And who knows? – it may be your first step in discovering your “hidden Hemmingway”. LEARN MORE HERE


2 CONVERSATIONS

  1. I was truly moved by this piece. It resonates in so many ways. The expression, comparison and analogy seems to echo so much of my life and I’m sure others. Simon you are gifted mentor, much can be learned, discussed and considered. You provide more than hypotheses , but challenge and stimulate discussion, consideration and reflection, offering options and opportunities.

    • Dear Christopher,

      I am seriously humbled and at the same time delighted that you empathize with the salient that are projected in this essay. I may have mentioned this in another comment, but I wanted to write an essay; could not think of a topic, zero inspiration. Scary! I then grabbed pen and notepad and described this dilemma. It eventually morphed into describing the heart and all its wonders.
      So many times we ignore the heart, discount the gut feeling; tge initial instinct and carry on regardless. Could be over-influence of others, or simply a desire to do what your heart recognizes as a major league mistake. And how often has that happened.

      Thank you Christopher. You are a good friend.

      Simon

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