Let Go
Life is hard
No matter your background, beliefs, wealth level, or support system - life is going to throw curveballs that hit you square in the temple at the most inopportune time.
In my experience, there are seasons for all things. Sometimes life is going smoothly and everything feels like itās working out exactly as planned, while other times feel like the world is falling apart and scheming how to bring you down with it.
The problem isnāt the fact that life is hard. Donāt get me wrong, itās no fun to deal with financial challenges, medical problems, or relational issues (among the many things that could go wrong). Yet, those things are often outside our control.
And thatās where the heartache lies.
When we try to control the uncontrollable, we cause ourselves undo stress, anxiety, and pain. Ultimately, we often canāt change the circumstances that surround us. Thatās nearly always the case.
So what can we change?
Our mindset.
Thatās the one thing we have full control over. No matter how bad life gets, no one can steal your ability to control your own thoughts and your mindset towards anything directly affects your experience of the situation.
Life is Good
Have you ever seen the shirts that have stick figure cartoon sketches on them with the branding āLife is Goodā? The entire brand identity is built around the fact that itās the simple things in life that make it beautiful.
When we can step outside our own head and look around at the world at large, we often find that thereās so much beauty in the midst of the chaos.
We simply have to look around to find it.
And that takes one important skill that all of us benefit from developing:
Understanding how to detach from our situation and objectively view it in light of the other realities of life.
I often practice this by going on a long walk in nature and observing the world around me. I layer in deep diaphragmatic breathing and allow my body to calm down before I speak to myself as if I were speaking to a friend.
Most people would never be harsh to a friend going through a difficult time. Weād be empathetic and kind. So I try to practice this, while also reminding myself that I cannot control the circumstances and then stating the things I can control.
This exercise often leads to a greater sense of peace and contentment. An understanding that life is full of challenges and pain, but those moments make the beauty of the world more vivid.
Big Idea š§ Let go of what you cannot control and control what you can.