The Art of Letting Go

When I let go of what I am, I become what I might be. – Lao Tzu

Do you know your true potential?

We are heavily influenced by the people around us – your parents may have told you growing up that you could only do certain things, work in certain reputable careers, or befriend certain groups of people. Your peers may all want you to be a wise-cracking thug like them.

But you don’t have to do anything they say.

It’s better if you don’t listen to anyone but yourself, because only you can discover your true potential – your true skills and passions that will help you become your best self and live the best life you can.

Are you a people pleaser? {I’m in recovery}

Many of us want to impress others, for fear of failure or rejection.

We want to be loved, so we try to please. We’ll go the safe path, we won’t have radical ideas, and we won’t assert ourselves too much.

Somewhere along the way, we realize our true dreams have never been recognized or pursued. We spent all our time pleasing others, we forgot about ourselves.

Has there been something you’ve always wanted to do? Something you’re incredibly drawn to, but never had the chance to explore more deeply?

What stands in the way?

Let go of inhibiting beliefs. Let go of fear. Let go of the past if you want to make way for new adventures.

Too often we kill our own dreams without even knowing it. A simple shuffle, and that dream is on the backburner, rejected before it had a chance to breathe.

Don’t kill your own dreams. Cherish them. Get rid of the obstacles and pursue them.

If not now, when?

When will you begin to pursue your true interests? When will you put yourself first?

After all,

The need to impress others causes half the world’s woes. - Vernon Howard

Remember that every time you choose to please someone else, you sacrifice yourself.

I’m letting go of the need to please, and I ask that you join me. Don’t live your life to impress others. Most likely, they won’t ever notice your efforts. Instead, you’ll find you’ve traded your dreams for someone else’s.

What will it take?

Let go of those who can’t understand your need to grow. Let go of your past lives. If you want to become your most excellent self, you must let go of what doesn’t work. Package your past lives away, pay homage to them yearly for helping you become who you are. But no more can you follow the rules of your past – they no longer apply.

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I was at a crossroads two years ago, wondering if my wild dreams would ever get their field day.

I wanted to grow and experience new things, and I also wanted to keep my old friends. I didn’t want them to be upset or see me differently. I wanted to love them like I always had.

When my newfound interests were received with cynical skepticism, I resolved that I needed to be on my own, away from inhibitory influences.

It was this act of walking away from the comforts of familiarity and into a new space of solitude that lifted a great burden. Now, I could do anything.

In this space, my passion for sustainability and food was able to grow and thrive.

Along the way, I also let go of my ‘identity’. Identity is crafted over time, based on your worldview and the activities you choose to pursue. These two elements constitute everything about you.

Now, I’m more liberated, confident, and driven because of it.

I let go of my need to be a music snob, and the doors to new and more beautiful sounds were suddenly open to me. I let go of the need to follow the common social order, and discovered the joys of following my heart. I let go of my need to fit in, and found peace.

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Letting go can be ‘normal’. In fact, I believe it’s best if you don’t attach yourself to anything. The reality is that the world is constantly shifting, a melting pot of impermanence. Attaching yourself to any one thing means you will inevitably be heartbroken when you find that one thing isn’t what it once was.

Open your heart to letting go: embrace change.

Letting go means change. Any personal growth must come from change. It’s best to learn how to embrace change.

The art of letting go is a skill, much like gratitude. With a little practice, letting go can become as fluid as second nature.

What are your dreams?

Craft a plan and take the first step.

You’ve only got one life to live. And it’s short.

Don’t trade your dreams for someone else’s.

Do you want to spend less money? Go green? Try making your own things? Save the world? Help out in some small way? Find happiness? Create genuine, lasting, and incredibly loving relationships?

How is your current situation helping or hindering your pursuit?

Get rid of the obstacles. The world needs you.

Without the ability to let go of our past lives, we end up stagnating. We can’t grow, learn new things, or experience life to its fullest extent. We destroy the opportunity to become our most excellent selves. In that process, we destroy the opportunity to live a better life.

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Sources of Inspiration: Everett Bogue, Raam Dev, Sandra Lee, Courtney Carver, Joshua Becker, Tammy Strobel

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Photo by Alban Gonzalez