The Phenomenal Power of Letting Go

I will gladly be the first person to get on a soapbox about the importance and value of exquisite self-care. No coaxing needed. I wholeheartedly believe that we can't run on an empty tank without paying a hefty price, nor are we meant to try. Furthermore, I am especially passionate about conveying this message to heart-centered entrepreneurs who are continuously giving tons of energy to growing their dreams. I see mastering self-care as an essential piece of our foundation for success.

And to be honest, I have always thought of myself as being fairly solid at practicing what I preach in this arena. That being said, I was treated to quite the wake-up call last week! I had a truly eye opening experience that challenged me to own the fact that I had not been giving enough respect to a key ingredient of supreme self-care; hence, the inspiration for this article!

So what is the key ingredient in the recipe for self-care that I was glossing over? The act of letting go.

And what facilitated my awakening regarding such? The profoundly transformative experience I had when I finally gave myself permission to receive a long overdue massage.

Now, if you have spent any time on a massage table, I trust that you can easily imagine the sweet relief I enjoyed as some built up stress and tension was released from my body. Without a doubt, as I let go physically, my muscles were singing thank you! But you know what is still rocking my world about this particular massage? The letting go of a higher nature that occurred.

I am talking about the brilliantly clear energetic shift that happened immediately, a shift that I now realize I had been "trying to make happen" for the last several weeks or so. Can you relate? I had been spending way too much time "up in my head" about wanting to shift and not nearly enough time honoring the wisdom of my body.

My body had definitely been telling me that I needed a release. Yet I hadn't let go.

After my massage, I could clearly see that while my recent intentions had technically been focused on letting go, in reality, I was actually practicing a lot of holding on, energetically speaking. I now understand that the healing touch of the massage therapist and the compassionate, loving space she held for me called me forth in the most tender way, supporting me to finally let go. I found my way back home to a place of allowing and receiving. It was about releasing resistance, pure and simple. With the ultra gentle act of letting go, my sacred connection to Source was restored, realigning me with my truth, my joy, my authentic power. And when it comes to practicing supreme self-care, what could be more important than that?

My gratitude for this experience got me thinking on a whole new level about the act of letting go and the gigantic role that it plays in genuinely taking care of ourselves and our dreams. I started wondering about all the different ways that we are called to let go in our journeys, especially as we navigate the terrain of being a heart-centered entrepreneur. And then of course, my curiosity started to grow about how easily we allow ourselves to let go, or not.

So this brings us to my invitation. I want to invite you to really consider what shows up for you around holding on vs. letting go. Where might you be holding on in a way that is not serving you and your dream? Bottom line, what is it time to let go of?

In service of getting you started with this reflection, allow me to shine the light on some possible answers to that critical question. It may be your time to let go of....

Self-doubt, perfectionism, fear based thinking, "shoulds," focusing on lack, old stories that keep you in a box, discouragement from others, limiting beliefs, worrying, obsessing about the "how," scarcity thinking, judgment, indecision, disempowering language, overwhelm, comparing yourself to others, etc....

Are you still with me? And do you see how the list could go on and on? Indeed, there is no shortage of opportunities to practice letting go as part of our self-care and nurturing our dreams.

Given this truth, I am compelled to extend a second invitation to you. I now want to invite you to make a crystal clear, conscious commitment to embrace letting go as a daily practice. Really, right now.

Will you boldly declare your commitment to loving yourself in this way?

Just imagine what will be possible when you are consistently caring for your mind, body and spirit in this manner. Visualize all the goodness that will flow and the new things that will bloom as you energetically create the space.

In the physical realm of letting go, I want to encourage you to be in constant communion with your body. Stay curious about what would feel nourishing to you in each and every moment, and know what supports you in physically letting go. For example, maybe it is meditation, dancing, massage or bubble baths. Whatever your favorites, practice them in a maintenance kind of way and let them work their magic. And please don't forget laughing and crying, which can deliver a delicious sense of release. Give up the unnecessary struggle that comes with holding on. I assure you that my recent lessons in this area are helping me to say this with strong conviction!

As for letting go in other respects, allow your heart and intuition to guide you. Listen deeply and be open to the messages. The wisdom and understanding is always there for you. Trust that you already know where letting go would serve you. It is simply a matter of tuning in and honoring your knowledge.

And the more you do so, the more you will be swimming around in the sea of joy and ease, your natural state of well-being.