“It's nice sometimes
to open up the heart a little
and let some hurt come in.
It proves you're still alive.”

“My heart hurts that means I’m alive.”

Kazuya Minekura (1975) Japanese manga artist

“Let's open up a restaurant in Santa Fe / Oh, sunny Santa Fe would be nice / We'll open up a restaurant in Santa Fe / And leave this to the roaches and mice”

Jonathan Larson (1960–1996) American composer and playwright

“In a weird way I must have loved my little collection of hurts and wounds. They provided me with some real nice sympathy, with the feeling I was exceptional.”

Sue Monk Kidd book The Secret Life of Bees

“Dead or alive, the balls still hurt when kicked, huh? (Zarek)”

Sherrilyn Kenyon book Dance with the Devil

“Let go into the mystery
Let yourself go
You've got to open up your heart
That's all I know
Trust what I say and do what you're told
Baby, and all your dirt will turn
Into gold.”

Van Morrison (1945) Northern Irish singer-songwriter and musician

“It's a great big step for me to open my heart up even a little bit. ”

John Denver (1943–1997) American singer, songwriter, activist, and humanitarian

“If you let the world in, you open yourself up to the world. Even if the world doesn't know that you're there.”

David Levithan (1972) American author and editor

“That's how it is sometimes--
God comes to your window,
all bright light and black wings,
and you're just too tired to open it.”

Dorianne Laux (1952) American poet

“Jean, Jean, you're young and alive
Come out of your half-dreamed dream
And run, if you will, to the top of the hill
Open your arms, bonnie Jean.”

Rod McKuen (1933–2015) American poet, songwriter, composer, and singer