written by john c ashworth

Ready to leap?

You cannot hold onto to that which no longer works and expect new and better things to come into your life. Sometimes you have to let go. Leap.

This is a good post for January when most of us get so caught-up in looking forward and adding new goals to our lives that we often forget to take a little closer look at what we might be able to let go first.

Most often, before you can move forward, you have to let go first, and it's easy to ignore this truth and continue to race forward. Looking ahead instead of staying present with what's in front of you. Yes. you have to look ahead too and you should, but if you're trying to move forward and still carrying a lot of baggage that you could have left behind, because it's full of junk you don't need anymore, you will find yourself weighed down and your progress thwarted.

Start releasing that which doesn't serve you any longer. And if you can't think of anything, then simply start with the idea that these things exist and leave your mind open so that they may reveal themselves to you in good time. They often hide in plain site and take advantage of our lack of presence and mindfulness.

Don't kid yourself. We all have things we need to let go.

And no matter how difficult or reluctant you might be, trust your instincts and pay close attention to the weight you feel lifted when you release these things back into the universe.

If you're feeling confused about what these things might be that's OK too. Trust yourself and your judgement and do what you can to cultivate clarity and presence for the rest of this transitional month and when you get to February, you'll likely find yourself on a much more focused path to your goals and mission.

The important thing is to honor this truth. To accept the fact that you can't possibly carry everything. None of us can. We need help and we need to move on. You can't possibly solve every problem that sits in front of you today. Especially the problems that are not yours.

Sit with yourself quietly as often as you need to; and while cultivating clarity through meditation, exercise, good long walks, the right kind of friends, and maybe just a very good cup of tea, you will find that when you open this door and start seeking the things you might let go, that there is more hiding inside this dark room than you thought.

-John