Women who inspire, support, and help others are women you want in your circle. Big-hearted women focus on the goodness of life but don’t fail to acknowledge the world is full of needs.

Although the term “big heart” is centuries old, there seems to be no exact reference to its first use. The phrase is used as a shorthand definition for kindness, love, compassion, and generosity in our conversations and even in song titles and lyrics.

In 1992, the Gibson/Miller band used the name, Big Heart, for one of their songs. Only two years later, Rodney Crowell released his 1994 hit, Big Heart. Crowell’s lyrics reflect our WISH members:

“She’s got a big heart and her own mind,

A deep love, it’s the strong kind.”

The concept of having a big, generous heart goes back to biblical times. Luke, in Chapter 6, verse 45, said, “A good man out of the good treasure of his heart brings forth that which is good.” Luke is referring to a big-hearted man, isn’t he?

Bringing forth good and doing it with love and strength is exactly what the women of WISH accomplished last year. They helped collect shoes for disadvantaged children, spearheaded a drive for winter boots for those children, and then filled dozens of shoeboxes with gifts for children in Tanzania. Big-hearted accomplishments that required a lot of inspiration, love, strength, and support.

There are many other ways to define having a big heart. You’ll find two unique lists on the Hack Spirit website. “They lift others,” is one of my favorites. ”They forgive easily,” is one to nurture. Enjoy a quick read, but read this critical list, too, and let it remind you to take good care of your big heart this February.