Today I wanted to talk about the heart. But every time I touch on the subject of the heart and the importance of seeing with the heart, I am reminded of the little prince. Somehow I cannot get past the little prince.
He is the one who has this very important lesson: Whoever wants to see can see with the heart. The essence is invisible to the eye.
So I did a little internet surfing and I came across a really interesting article with 5 life
that have been scientifically confirmed. Yes, it also contains evidence.
The Little Prince and 5 scientifically proven life lessons
A few lessons from this famous story can improve your life
In The Little Prince, a story he created in 1943, Antoine de Saint-Exupéry gave adults five tips for a better life.
With 288 translations, The Little Prince is one of the most translated books of all time. On the occasion of the 70th anniversary of its publication, The Huffington Post, an American media outlet, has selected five life lessons from the book that are now backed by scientific evidence.
1. A return to childhood creativity
"I wanted to see if he really understood. But I always got the answer: 'It's a hat.' Then I didn't talk to that one about boa constrictors, or rainforests, or stars. I came down to his level. I talked to him about bridge, golf, politics and ties. And the grown-up was pleased to meet such a clever man." - Narrator
The first picture of the child narrator is of a boa digesting an elephant. But the adults always saw her as wearing a hat. So the narrator gives up his painting career until he meets the Little Prince, who immediately knows that it is an elephant in a boa.
The Little Prince had more imagination: when he asks the narrator to draw his back, he likes the picture of the box best. That way, he could imagine that there was a duckling inside.
The lesson: adults lose the dash of madness that spurs children to creativity and imagination. Adults prefer numbers and instantaneous things and forget to look deeply, they don't let themselves go and they are no longer imaginative.
What the science says: A series of studies by psychologists and research by colleagues at the Huffington Post suggest that creative people are like the Little Prince. They dream with their eyes open, seek out new experiences, ask pertinent questions, observe others and move away from their own beliefs.
2. Let's not take things so seriously
"I manage them. I count them and I tally them. These are not charsibods. But I am a serious person! " - Trader
While travelling around the planets, the Little Prince met a merchant. His main (and perhaps only) characteristic? He's very serious. He does nothing but count the stars, constantly. He is content because he believes he owns them all, but his life is monotonous and lonely because he is not doing anything else. Yet he cannot appreciate the beauty of the stars.
The lesson: it is better to be a little less serious and appreciate the real meaning of things.
What science says: several studies show that there is nothing better for well-being than a good dose of laughter. In 2014, a study by experts at the University of California showed that people who laugh a lot have better memories and experience less stress.
3. More time for yourself to be happy
"With the planet spinning on its axis every minute, I no longer have a second to rest. I switch on and off once a minute." - The Lighthouse Keeper
On the fifth planet, the Little Prince met a truly unusual person. Every minute he has to switch a lamp on and off. Every minute means one day to the Lighthouse Keeper. He never has time to sleep and rest.
The lesson: cherish every moment that passes and make the best of life.
What science says: sleep deprivation has terrible consequences for health. It increases the risk of diabetes, heart disease, strokes, certain cancers, memory problems, increased appetite... In addition to sleep, it is essential to take time for yourself.
4. To make new discoveries
"It is not a geographer's duty to count cities, rivers, seas, oceans and deserts. A geographer is too important a personality to wander around. A geographer is not moved from his office."- Geographer
On the sixth planet, the Little Prince met "an old gentleman who wrote giant books". So he thought he had come across an explorer, but in fact he was the only inhabitant of the planet who had not left his office in his lifetime.
The lesson: we usually tend to stay within our safe confines because it is easier than taking risks. In reality, we need to use our time on Earth to have different experiences and adventures, to travel the world and to make new friends.
What science says: there are many reasons to leave our comfortable corner. When we are under quality stress or facing challenges, we are more effective, say psychologists. Taking on challenges helps us age better, according to a 2013 study.
5. It's best to choose with your heart
"Hear my secret. It's very simple: whoever wants to see must see with the heart. The point is invisible to the eye." - Fox
The Little Prince likes the rose on his planet, which is very similar to other roses on earth. But his rose is the only one in the world because he chose it and sacrificed his time for it.
Lesson: The Little Prince is spontaneous in his emotions. He thinks instinctively and with his heart, unlike people on planet Earth who think with their heads and see only a flower in his rose.
What science says: good news for intuitive people. In 2012, the Journal of Organisational Behaviour and Human Decision published research showing that intuition is as effective as an analytical approach in decision-making. Many times the best decisions are made by gut feeling.
I make a lot of decisions by gut feeling - intuition. I always know what is right and what is wrong. Well, except when I can't decide. Then I decide to wait a little longer and see how things go and then I act.
At least now we have evidence of the benefits of reading The Little Prince you really won't regret it.
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