Every single day we experience challenges, potholes, frustrations, and metaphorical walls that seem to be without doors or windows. At times we feel like we’re at the end of our rope, and we have no choice but to give up. To give up is to accept failure and do NOTHING. We don’t ever have to “give up”, but we CAN “let go”.
To “let go” is to MOVE ON, and allow yourself enough energy to tackle the next obstacle in front of you. You don’t want to exhaust yourself on something that will not serve you. Being attached to anything won’t free up the space for other opportunities. Letting go does NOT equal giving up. I’ve more than once, in the past, been so attached to an outcome that I refused to let go of a situation. I focused my energy on what I could’ve done differently, or how it “should’ve” turned out.
It wasn’t until I stopped “shoulding” all over myself that I was able to remember what I’ve always said: “Everything happens FOR us, not TO us.” If a way through an obstacle doesn’t seem to be working, we get to find another way. There’s always under, around, over, and with. This can show up in business deals, Tough Mudder races, relationships, construction detours, or opening a glass jar. There is ALWAYS another way.
What we all get to do is realize that there is something waiting for us on the other side of that wall, so it’s up to us to figure out how to get there. And maybe we get to bypass the wall completely and find a secret portal in the floor or the ceiling. There is no end. We cannot fail. The Uni-verse won’t allow it. We most certainly can do everything on our own – we ARE that powerful – but we don’t have to be solo soldiers. We have an abundant amount of support all around us. Just open your eyes and receive.
Last week I competed in a brutal obstacle course that most people would never even think about doing. I signed up to do this so I could raise money for my sister’s Lyme Disease treatments. I knew my body would get thrown around, bruised, and beat up – but I was on a MISSION to win the cash prize for my sister.
I had coaches to cheer me on from the sidelines, and the crowd was unbelievably supportive. I had to jump through spinning hoops, swim through ice water, climb up steep pyramids, get over thick walls, cross unstable bridges, and dive into unknown waters. I thought I was going to die. But I didn’t.
There was one obstacle that I couldn’t get over, but I tried again and again and again. I was so determined to make it over this one and I refused to “give up” on that specific one. I basically blocked out the knowledge that there were others on the course that I could use to get to the final destination.
The crowd yelled, “MOVE ON TO THE NEXT ONE!!!” That hit me! I thought – “Letting go is NOT giving up! On to the next!” So I let my attachment go and I easily made it across the next one. Life doesn’t have to be difficult. It really doesn’t. We feel like it has to be, and that anything worth having doesn’t come easily. Rewards often come after a lot of “hard work”, but hardships do not guarantee a prize. I promise that you can always find another way. Failure is NOT an option.
Love all that is you,
Jenna xox
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Jenna Phillips is a Total Wellness Philosopher, Certified Holistic Lifestyle Coach, AFAA Certified Personal Trainer & the founder of her lifestyle brand I’m On A Mission. Follow her on Twitter and be inspired.
