If I count up the number of times I've packed all my belongings and changed residences it totals around 37 times.  By most standards I've moved an insane amount especially since college was the first move.  This has created a certain mindset and relationship with letting go, whether things or habits.  It is one of consistent purging and clearing, releasing that which I am not currently using and loving.  Although this causes occasional challenge when it comes to sentimental items, (Mom's a bit hesitant to pass things along for fear I'll toss them), it generally keeps clutter to a minimum in my life, thus creating space for what might illuminate my world in new ways.

Some of you may remember several years ago when I went through a major life transition of completing a relationship and leaving my home at the time.  It was perhaps one of the most challenging times of my life thus far as it called for a supreme letting go.  It became very clear that I am not my stuff, and I am not even my relationships.  I am just me.  It was powerful and helpful and in that period of time, I had the opportunity to boldly recreate myself all over again.  In order to do that, I had to let go what wasn't me.  Literally and figuratively.

Faith and Open Hands

Any time we embark on a journey of self discovery and invite new opportunities, claiming who we truly are, we must rally our faith and leap. It might feel like a Grand Canyon style leap.  "What if I need it?  What if I'm wrong?  What if I can never find it again?"  There is risk.  Sometimes real, sometimes perceived, but risk nonetheless.  We are always asked to let go of something first, whether a belief, a pattern, habit, relationship, object.  When your hands are full and tightly gripping, there's no room to receive.  Open your hands, let go and be willing to be patient for what is already on its way to you.

Are you willing to leap and invite in all that life has to offer?

Get strong. Get tough.

Sometimes we need to get tough.  We need to be like that driven football coach who won't take no for an answer, who won't accept anything less than his players' best.

Create criteria and stick to it. Live your life in accordance with your new criteria and stop holding on to what's not working.  Get rid of that hideous 1980's suit that you keep thinking will come back into style or the size 2 skirt you wore when you were on a raw food diet in college.

Here's some criteria to help you decide what to keep and what to let go of. Apply one or more.

Does it work?

Do you use it regularly? (At least monthly.)

Do you love it? (I mean loooove it.)

Does it match who you are now?

Does it move you towards /support the future you are designing?

Does it make you feel good?

(PS. And please remember that there is an additional set of criteria for marriage. Do not discard a marriage simply because it doesn't "feel good" right now.  Recreate it.  Take a stand for it.  Commit to new possibilities, like a phoenix rising from the ashes. I know you can do it.)

Finally, take a look at your mindset around letting go.  As you release that which no longer fits your life, embrace the process peacefully and even joyfully.  If you see it as a time of suffering and great loss, then it will be.  If you see it as transformation or rebirth, then it will be.

Let go. Open your hands.  Make big wishes.  You might just be surprised about the dreams that come true when you make space for it.