You didn’t use to guard your heart, your heart was worn on your sleeve, but over the years it has become a habit to guard it.

You have such a big heart and you care about so many people. You would do anything for those whose friendships you cherish. Through the years, you have begun to notice that this act is not easily reciprocated. People do not do for you as you would do for them. They say don’t cross oceans for those who wouldn’t cross a puddle for you. But no, do it. Cross oceans. Some people may end up breaking you, but it was you that crossed that ocean. Through all of this struggle, your heart has been on the line.

After all of these years, you have become accustomed to getting your hopes shattered. If something does not go the way you thought or hoped it would, you shrug and say, “I’m used to it.” This should not be your way of thinking, but it is. So many things have become repetitive in your life, that you have learned to stop getting your hopes up. If your hopes aren’t set high, your hopes cannot be crushed.

When you are used to getting hurt, you may end up pushing away those who truly care for you, because you don’t know how it feels to be appreciated. You’re going to expect the worst out of someone until they are the best that they can be. You’ve been lied to, you’ve experienced fake appreciation, but rarely the tried and true kind.

Guarding your heart keeps you from heartbreak, but it also keeps you from seeing or feeling what is right in front of you. Half of you is saying, “Go for it. Put it all on the line. What have you got to lose?” The other half is in total disagreement. What have you got to lose? Your guard. Once that guard is down, the emotions are viable, and there’s no telling how long that guard could take to build back up if needed.

Your heart is guarded. You do not easily open up to people because you know that people have a tendency to leave. When your heart is guarded, others may see you as harsh and disinterested. That’s hardly the case. The truth? You simply don’t want your heart broken again. You still care just as much, if not more, you’re just afraid to show it. Afraid to let it all out there again. Maybe you don’t know how anymore. All of the care and the love is still there, it is just going to take some work from the other person to see it. To get past the shield over your heart. Once they get passed it, they are there to protect it. To keep it from breaking. They will see how much love you have. How kind and caring you are. And when they do, they’ll love you even more.

The choice is up to you. Do you let your guard down and have a chance at everything falling into place? Or, do you let your guard down and have your heart break into pieces, waiting to be fixed again? No matter what you choose, your heart is on the line and you’re in charge.