This post is Grassroots, meaning a reader posted it directly. If you see an issue with it, contact an editor.
If you’d like to post a Grassroots post, click here!

0.1
December 8, 2022

“It can be painful if you hang onto things.”

It was an innocent comment in a context I wasn’t expecting, and maybe that’s the beauty of it.

Coming off the mountain today with a big grin, legs feeling the burn from early season top to bottom powder runs.

As I got to my car and was taking off my gear, I saw this man out of the corner of my eye get laid out by a patch of ice, board down, man down, and goggles flying through the air…

To be honest, I’ve seen it happen more times than I care to admit and it’s happened to me…

A yard sale just trying to make it to the car after an epic day on the mountain. It can be a serious hazard.

I looked at him and asked if he was okay, we had a laugh, a quick chat about the dangers of just trying to get to the car and as he walked by he casually said…

“It can be painful if you hang onto things.”

He was saying how hard it can be to walk on the ice carrying a lot of stuff – especially if you fall.

The metaphor hit me hard.

Recently I’ve been going through what feels like a major metamorphosis, both figuratively and literally.  I’ve been radically practicing telling myself the truth (which until I started to, I didn’t realize how many little white lies I was telling myself).

I’ll start tomorrow.

I’ll work harder.

I’m eating healthy (when my diet consisted of processed foods).

I’m trying (when in reality I was procrastinating).

I’m doing the best I can (when I was really telling myself boatloads of excuses).

And on it goes.

I had enough.  So I started getting real with my targets for my business & life.  I had to ask myself if I really wanted to go for my targets and make some major changes, or if I was happy continuing on the path I was on. I had to be honest with myself, my life, my actions, my wishes and so much more.

I started to cherish my time, make the most of it, enjoy my own company more than I ever have, and recognize that I am the common denominator of everything that happens in my life… the good, the bad, the ugly, the beautiful, the inspiring, and everything in between.

So in the process of this up-leveling, the evolution has been extremely rewarding and has had lots of moments of intensity and discomfort. Ironically, most beings have a hard time letting go of their limitations, as if they are going to miss out on something if they let go of that which holds them back…

As if fear is a trophy you should be proud of.  

The truth is… most people would rather hang onto limitations because they are known… but future possibilities are unknown and we almost always look at what we’re going to lose instead of what we’re going to gain.

And even though I guide people through both their challenging and triumphant moments, limitations are somehow something that we just hang onto as if it’s normal.

But think about it…

Hanging on to things can be painful.

Wherever you are, may this be your reminder to let go.

To stop hanging onto your limitations as if you’re afraid to let them go.

Stop normalizing pain as a part of your life and start gong for your dreams, for the unknown, and for the unlimited.

Stop hanging onto toxic people, or anything that weighs you down and mostly start engaging in all things that light you up.

This isn’t permission to spiritually bypass the journey you need to go on, but maybe give yourself a break, let go, and let yourself evolve… for real.

Today could be your miracle.  This could be your time to shine.

You are a gift and a miracle, and just recognize that this is your journey and no one else’s so make sure you are making choices that lift you up.

You got this!

Photo by Ilya Shishikhin on Unsplash

Leave a Thoughtful Comment
X

Read 0 comments and reply

Top Contributors Latest

Katherine McIntosh  |  Contribution: 3,635