When you truly don’t care how something turns out, there’s no stress, no pressure, no worry. How freeing! I’m not suggesting we don’t care about our life, but I am suggesting we learn to be more amenable to whatever shape it takes. We can learn to go with the flow, shape things as they come and accept what develops. Surely we can.
Release your attachment to the timing of things
Timing is one of the trickiest things to let go. Years ago, when I first became a Reiki Master Teacher, I wanted to create some classes, both first and second degree. It was as easy as opening my calendar and writing them in. I decided to have three first-degree classes before I offered one second-degree class since I knew not everyone would move on. That’s it. A logical decision based on expectation and a calendar to set the dates. I made up the timing. I could change the timing.
What timing have you made up that you are attached to? If you let go of that idea, how would you feel? What new space would open up. What new opportunity would appear?
Take a reality check and clear out the impossible
Right now, every week I send out two posts, one podcast and a newsletter. If I want to add videos or work on my books, I may have to alter that delivery promise.
It has taken me a long time to self-publish my two latest ebooks because I had to learn Scrivener and the process for Amazon and Smashwords. If I had made a due date, a delivery date, I would have been stressed beyond all measure.
As it was, I just kept taking small steps, studying a new tutorial every day, and honoring what I felt ready to learn/do next. Clear the space for the next step you need to take.
Release your attachment to the form of things
When I became overwhelmed and stressed out in the self-publishing process, a friend suggested I just focus on creating one form. The relief was immediate. All I had to do was create the pdf for my site. That alone would give me a great sense of accomplishment. Then I could focus on placing them on Amazon. Trying to produce both forms together felt overwhelming. Taking one at a time was very doable. What basic form must your create first? Just do that.
Release your attachment to the need for things
Possessions are a personal choice. A lot. A little. If you decide you want more of something, take time to look at what it will take to get it. Does it mean longer hours, less family time, more stress? Measure what you give up in order to get more things.
The less I have around me, the more I have inside me. The more simply I live my life, the greater the impact. I no longer add material possessions to my home. Instead, I cherish what I have and even look to see which of those I can pass forward.
Possessions can take some sacrifice. Put your needs and wants in balance with the reality check of what it will take to acquire and maintain them.
Release your attachment to the use of things
I used to be an impulse buyer. I got excited about a lot of things. I have better control over that today but I still got a bit carried away when I purchased a juicer based on the enthusiasm of someone who gave a class. I know I am easily influenced by the excitement of others and I have to watch that when it comes to adding things to my life.
It works best when I wait before I buy. Often when I wait I find that I truly do not need or want what I was attached to. Time is a great leveler of what you want versus what you need.
Release your attachment tot the outcome
Attachment to the outcome is a huge creator of stress. There are so many perfect ways a situation can unfold. Wouldn’t it be easier to simply go along with the flow and see what shows up?
When you are attached to the outcome you make plans. You outline, you set deadlines, you move in a specific direction.
When you go with the flow you have a broad objective in mind and with every opportunity that appears, you measure and weigh, consider how you feel and if/how it fits into your objective, or if your objective should be changed because of this new information.
You make your choice based on where you are in the moment, not on where you were weeks ago. You have new information, new insights, new awareness. Choose from the present moment.
In order to be in the moment, become more aware
Respond, don’t react. When I get a new idea, I often stop what I’m doing and write a post about it in order to figure it out. The idea for this post came from an article I noticed about relieving stress. As I looked to see how I managed stress I realized that I’m not stressed because I’m not attached to any outcome.
Yet good things happen in their own good time. For instance, my books will get where they’re supposed to go; I just don’t know exactly when that will be.
I let the ideas change form. Although I explore the idea of attachment to outcome in this article, I already see it expanded into a podcast. Maybe it will even become a course. I don’t know yet. The Universe will surprise me.
And whatever I decide to do, whenever I decide to do it, will be perfect. I just get to trust it to unfold and make myself available when and where I’m needed.
Can you begin to lose your attachment to outcome? How relaxed and free will that make you feel?
To Sing a Deeper Song consider:
Hold the Space for Things To Change
Are You in the Right Room?
Engage in the Power of trust
Fitting In Is Not What You Do To Be Extraordinary
How to Develop Your Distinctive Voice
Unleash the Power of The 20 Minute Lesson
32 – How to See Your Work As Art
31-How to Cultivate The Power of Simplicity
30 – The No Plan Plan
