Wear Your Heart on Your Sleeve
Do you ever wear your heart on your sleeve? I don’t mean shirts or sweaters with hearts on them. Do you let your emotions show?
When you wear your heart on your sleeve, you openly reveal your emotions.
They become obvious to everyone who sees you. They show in your:
- Face
- Words
- Body Language
Wear your heart on your sleeve applies to every emotion.
- Anger makes you blow your top.
- Love brightens the world around you.
- Concern reaches out to those in need.
- Fear makes you tremble.
No one has to wonder how you feel, especially when you are in love.
This expression may originate from a medieval custom.
According to The Phrase Finder, knights wore the name of a woman on their sleeves during tournaments.
The phrase later appeared in Shakespeare’s “Othello.”
Wear your heart on your sleeve with caution.
Openness is not appropriate in every situation. You don’t want to go off the deep end. Use wisdom and kindness in all you do.
Allow God’s love to flow through you regardless of your emotions.
When you let go and let God take control, your heart changes for the better.
“I will praise the Lord with my whole heart” (Psalm 111:1 NIV).
Thanks to Brad Leverett for the suggestion.
Do you have an expression you want explained or a thought about this one? If so, please comment below.
Subscribe to receive my weekly posts by email and receive a free copy of “Words of Hope for Days that Hurt.”
If you enjoyed this post, please share it with your friends.
10 thoughts on “Wear Your Heart on Your Sleeve”
I often wonder if I do too much Ms. Diana. I think it important to live my life honestly, and if I don’t like something, or am overjoyed by/with something or someone, I want them (and the world) to know it. That’s a difficult thing for this introvert to do, but I’ve found I’m more easily approachable when I live with my heart on my sleeve than I am when I appear cool and distant. I’m often not that way (distant), but I find sometimes, especially when I’m in an unfamiliar setting, it’s a safer way to be.
J.D., you have raised several interesting and valid points that probably apply to many of us. Thank you for opening your heart and home to the world through your blog.
There’s a positive aspect to wearing your heart on your sleeve – everyone can see where you stand on something you’re passionate about. However, when we are too transparent, people can take advantage of us in negative ways we never anticipated.
Very good reflection here, Diana!
Blessings!
Thank you for the great overview, Martha. Finding the right balance can be tricky, can’t it? Blessings on your day.
Doesn’t it also mean that you are too sensitive about everything? That everything hurts your feelings? At least that’s what I grew up thinking. Live your visual!
You’re right, Tracy. I totally forgot to include that point. I wasn’t sure about the visual, so thank you for the validation. Have a wonderful day!
I wonder how often I wear my heart on my sleeve and don’t realize it. I want to be compassionate and show God’s love in every moment. Thank you for this inspirational message.
You have raised a great question and voiced a strong desire for many of us, Melissa. Thank you.
I think we often strive to not wear our hearts on our sleeves because we don’t want people to see into our deepest feelings. But there is a time we should–when we’re sharing our love for Jesus with others–we should strive to wear our hearts on our sleeves–that we love Him with all our heart. Thanks for sharing, Diana.
Excellent point, Katherine! May we always openly share Jesus’ love with others. Thank you.