The Intersection Between Acceptance and Change

Letting go of the outcome is one of my biggest challenges on the spiritual path.  Here's the idea: You put your time, energy and effort into a project and then release the results to the Universe.  You do not get to decide what ultimately happens.  You trust that the Universe will take care of you and give you the best outcome, even if it's not what you thought you wanted.  In this way a delay or a change can turn into a gift.  However, it only works if we release our grip on one certain outcome.

If we are feeling angry, frustrated, impatient or disappointed, then we are probably attached to the outcome.  Of course it's not bad to feel these things, and these emotions can be signs that we need to practice surrender, the art of letting go.  Every day I find new opportunities to forgive and let go.  For example, today I have an important meeting with a team of 8 people.  I know that I am attached to a certain outcome (medical testing for a student) and I am trying to stay open to other possibilities and other solutions.  My practice this week has been to speak my truth in a calm way and then step back.  By stepping back and letting go of the need to control or manipulate, the Universe can do her thing and send all of the help/answers/solutions that we need.  If we are completely locked in to only one right answer, then we will be angered and frustrated by any other solution.  Today my intention is to stay open.  I'm doing everything I can and now I get to let go.  I know that I am taken care of.  This situation will work out in divine timing and order.  It feels so good to let myself off the hook.  Now is time to live in faith and surrender.
 

How to Let Go

Lately I've really been receiving the message, "Let yourself be guided."  What does this really mean?  To me, it means that I don't have to be in charge of every little detail of my life.  I'm not the only one working on my behalf.  I can relax into knowing that the Universe has got me.  It feels like falling back into a big cloud of supportive safety that will swoop me off into the right direction.  I just have to stop trying to steer and enjoy the ride.  I'm not saying that I won't work hard or hustle or put time into my goals, but the outcome of these efforts is not really up to me.  I'll put my best forward and the rest is up to (insert your word of choice here).  The same force that got me here is the one that runs my life.  As the Course in Miracles suggests, I start every day with these questions:

Where shall you have me go?

What shall you have me do?

What shall you have me say?

To whom?

 

Then I listen for an answer, an inkling, an idea or a push.  It's fun and exciting and a whole lot easier than struggling through my days.  Recently, I tried this exercise from Esther Hicks.  In your journal, create this table:

 

Things I will do this week	Things I would like the Universe to handle this week
1. 2. 3.	1. 2. 3.

 

My side had 8 items and the Universe side had 13.  I listed very specific to-do list items on my side and big wish items on the Universe side (for example, healing my knee).  Now, looking back about 3 weeks later, I realize that the Universe has already tackled 6 of her big items.  Wow!  I did all of my manageable to-dos, so together we are truly a force of awesome productivity!  I am confident that with time, the Universe will get all of her items done.  In fact, I'm betting on it.  What do you want to let the Universe handle this week?  Write me a comment, and I'll add it to my list, too.  Have fun!