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We usually don't let go of things until we are forced to. But what if we could do it a little earlier? What if we could save ourselves some stress?
This past week was a lesson in surrender for me. I had things neatly outlined of what would happen where. My calendar and time are carefully organized to "fit it all in." But that's not what happened.
Here are five quotes I found that helped to reframe my thinking. I share them with you because maybe there's a message tucked in there for you too!
1. Anything you can't control is teaching you to let go!
My carefully planned week went into the weeds; there are things right and left coming at me that are beyond my control. I've discovered that anything you can't control is teaching you to let go, and indeed, it taught me to let go.
2. Accept what is. Let go of what was. Believe in what will be.
Maybe you've been in a place where things are going well for you professionally. You are happy, satisfied, and fulfilled. Then something changes.
But you didn't want it to change.
Now all you want is for it to go back to the way it was! Let me tell you, you are good, but you're not that good that you can rewind time. So what can you do instead?
Accept the change. It's done. Let go of what was. You can do nothing to make it go back to the way it was because even if the situation reversed, it wouldn't be the same. This next step is critical. Take all of your energy and focus on what you want instead. What can be because of this change? What will be?
3. One of the happiest moments of life is when you finally find the courage to let go of what you can't change.
In the moment, it can be uncomfortable, but in the end, it is FREEING! You may dwell on making something work. You can Rubix cube the daylights of the situation. But when it's a person or situation that you cannot control or change, and you finally let go, the pressure lessens. The stress abates. What are you holding onto (personally or professionally) that you need to let go of? Once and for all?
4. Holding on is believing there is a past. Letting go is knowing there is a future!
I loved this quote when I found it! Holding on is believing there is a past. Yes, there is a past, and it has passed. You can know and believe it happened, but it is no more and is futile to hang onto. Instead, let go of the past because you now KNOW there is a FUTURE, and you have a chance to create it on your terms.
5. Surrender is the simple but profound wisdom of yielding to, rather than opposing, the flow of life.
I subscribe to the philosophy that life happens FOR you, not TO you—a subtle yet significant distinction. I can't tell you the times that I've had to surrender professionally, that if I had done it sooner, it would have been much easier on me. Things happen. Companies close, get acquired, go through downsizing. Once, I even got fired as a teenager for missing a mandatory meeting at my restaurant waitressing job. It's what you do NEXT that is the most critical step. How do you start moving forward, but in a way that is aligned with you?
I hope you enjoyed the pearls of wisdom that I collected. Hit reply and let me know which one resonated most strongly with you!
Until the next time, here's wishing you the Clarity you deserve!