A few months ago, I was challenged to release the need to control a situation and just allow things to happen. It has been an amazing experience, where I have learned more deeply how to do what I can, set my intentions, and then let go of any expectations for the outcome. Surprisingly, it works every time. It also has been a wonderful opportunity to live a life of curiosity, allowing the Universe to bring me new opportunities that I probably would not have gotten if I had felt the need to control the situation.
There’s a second lesson, I’m realizing, that I had not yet mastered and is now coming up for me. It’s Acceptance/Internalization.
I always thought the hard thing was allowing. Giving up control? No thanks! Trusting? Ah, yes…in theory…. But, as I mentioned, I’ve seen the benefits and now I’m a believer.
Now, about that acceptance thing…
I thought I was really good about accepting things. And in some cases, I am. But what I am talking about is not accepting things that are seemingly out of your control, but accepting things that have come to you as a result of your asking. Here’s how it goes:
I have a wish or desire – something I really want. I get clear about the specifics of it and set an intention. (I learned this lesson when I set an intention to “be on the Oprah show”. I realized I got my wish when I was sitting in the audience of the Oprah show. There I was – ON the show. Not IN the show, as a guest. Lesson learned). Anyhoo… desire/specifics/intention. Next, LET IT GO. This is what I have been working on recently and have seen wonderful results when able to truly do it. And then there are those big ones, that you really want, but don’t really think will ever happen.
I have never had a surprise party. I have very often thrown birthday parties for myself. I have no problem doing that. But there has always been a part of me that wished that maybe once someone would care enough to throw me a party.
Apparently, my kids are the ones I was waiting for.
Not only did they arrange a trip where all my kids and grandkids gathered under one roof, but had my mother and sisters there as well. And when they all sang Happy Birthday to me…it was a lot to take in. When you finally get something you really didn’t think would happen, you realize that there’s a part of you which has come to believe that maybe you didn’t deserve it. Or you convinced yourself it really didn’t matter, that you really didn’t want it in the first place. Accepting something like this is wonderful, if not a bit daunting. What a gift!
As a result, I’ve updated my guidelines for living the life you desire:
- Envision it. Be specific.
- Set an intention
- Let it go
- Welcome it with open arms and heart when it appears.
It matters. YOU matter. And you deserve it.
