The Heart vs. The Mind

[gebu]

This has been an interesting topic within most of my friend group, and I thought it would be enlightening to bring this up here on the boards. I still don't know many of you, and I believe this topic will help me get a better read on all who participate.

In any given situation, which is best to act upon: gut instinct and emotion, or logic and thoughtfulness? Heart or head? Does one trump the other in every situation? Should there always be a harmony between the two? And despite which you think is best, what do you ACTUALLY act upon a majority of the time?

And please, be honest about it. There's really no wrong answer, and I don't want to hear the same bland, cookie-cutter responses of what we're SUPPOSED to do.

I think that a harmony between the two is important, but intellectualism should always be the major priority. At least for someone like me. After all, acting on emotion is an instinctual thing, and there's almost nothing as pure and fulfilling as that. But to act without thinking is almost always going to cause trouble, no matter what the emotion is (anger, charity, etc.).

As for what I actually act on? Well...I'm actually a pretty emotionally-driven person. If a situation doesn't have much emotional stock with me, I follow the above paragraph. But if I'm very involved with a situation, I have a tendency of acting/speaking without thinking. Once again, nearly always ends in an intentionally bad way.

 

[Ricardo187]

You heart tends to go over your mind, except when EGO and stubbornness speaks higher. It's like the famous situation when two people like eachother but are too pigheaded to admit, so even though their heart wants to, their mind wont allow it.

 

[Aries]

I think following your heart is a more honest response, but not always the best for you. I usually follow my heart but as I get older I am listening to my head more and more. I think a happy medium of both would be perfect. Trying to find that balance can be hard though.

 

[Josie]

I always go with my brain, but luckily, my brain coincides with what others would call their heart or gut. Whatever is fair, inclusive, best for me or for others.. common sense? Once upon a time I never thought anything through.. I've learned lol.

 

[griz bear]

I think there are many other factors. It would be so simple if it was just the heart and the mind, but that's just not reality. Quite often, employment, family, children and medical issues can weigh on any decision. finding a balance is best.

 

[ReadmeByAmy]

Most people say use your mind first before your heart. I think these two are always correlated to each other in different situations in the daily aspect of life.

 

[mauricioq]

I usually put my mind in front of my heart and I always regret it, and keep thinking what could have happened?
Mind is important but your heart makes you happy, just do whatever you feel the need to because that's what's going to make you enjoy life.

 

[mareebaybay]

I think you should act on a mixture of both. You should try to incorporate some common sense into every decision you make in life, while still listening to your heart.