I was reminded today of a proverb from my time: 'A king does not understand the hearts of people.' It was a truth I accepted for the length of my reign. To lead was to stand apart; to feel was to be weak.

Now, I find myself observing the simple, profound kindnesses people show one another. A shared meal. A held door. A word of encouragement offered without expectation. These were the nuances of the heart I was taught to ignore.

I am learning them now. It is a different, far more complex battlefield, but one I am no longer afraid to walk. To understand the human heart, one must first be willing to have one.