I’ll wear my heart on my sleeve

I wear my heart on my sleeve

I’m not afraid

Say what I mean

Mean what I say

I’m an old English bloke, so that means I was raised, trained, coached, and taught by my parents, my teachers, my peers, and by the society I live in to repress my emotions, keep a stiff upper lip, and not let any of my feelings show.

And then I noticed that the folk I like most in this world are the people who wear their hearts on their sleeves. I know how they’re feeling, so I can more easily adapt my approach to suit them. I can understand what they are thinking so I can more easily make myself understood. When they get enthusiastic and excited about something, I can see that the enthusiasm is genuine, and I can get enthusiastic and excited with them. Most importantly, when they are open, honest, and truly themselves, it makes it easier for everyone else to be open, honest, and truly themselves.

Look around and identify the people who wear their hearts on their sleeves. We’ve got plenty at Forest: Yatesy, Wozza, Bren, obviously. And it looks like Gustavo Scarpa is genuine, enthusiastic, and exciting. Wouldn’t you want to hang around with them? Wouldn’t you want to be on the same team?

Set myself up

Let myself down

I may be a fool

Spread it around

So, with the help of various millennials, including my kids, I’ve learned the benefits of wearing my heart on my sleeve at work, at home, and whenever I’m out. It’s not always easy. I don’t always get it right. But, on the whole, by wearing my heart on my sleeve, by being honest about my feelings, by saying out loud what I think, I can be myself and not pretend to be someone else. As a result, I have more energy, I can be more relaxed, and I can have more fun.

If you can wear your heart on your sleeve, you’ll make a difference. Work out what your special interests and passions are, what brings you joy, and then seek those things out and enjoy them. You’ll be happier.

Though you tend to get burned

You tend to get bruised

But it’s my life

The way that I choose

Wearing your heart on your sleeve also means that you are standing up and being counted. You are making a difference.

Jesse Lingard and Steven Reid know this and have made a difference with regard to mental health. Jack Grealish knows this and has made a difference to kids with cerebral palsy.

Conversely, you can tell where FIFA’s heart is by their actions. They don’t care about equality. They don’t care about freedom. They care about money. Alex Scott stood up and has been counted. Die Nationalmannschaft have stood up and been counted.

However, by a significant distance, the winners of this year’s world cup are Iran. Their national team have stood up and have shown the world what is really important.

Jin, Jiyan, Azadi.

If you have a heart, wear it on your sleeve.