Sometimes we hold so tightly to things or situations or people. We fear the unknown. We doubt we can cope without them. Better the devil we know!
But when we do finally let go of the job, the person, the conviction to which we’ve clung till our knuckles are ragged, we often find something more wonderful waiting for us.
We must be willing to let go of the life we planned
so as to have the life that is waiting for us.
~ Joseph Campbell
This quote is one of my absolute favorites.
And the same idea is goose-bumpingly expressed in a song I adore, Peter Gabriel‘s Solsbury Hill.
As Gabriel says about the song’s meaning,
It’s about being prepared to lose what you have for what you might get, or what you are for what you might be.
It’s about letting go.
Which is what he did when he left Genesis for his remarkable solo career.
I think the idea applies to anything we protect a little too defensively – whether clutter in our homes, beliefs in our heads, ideas about the way things should be, people in our lives.
If your knuckles are white from gripping too hard, maybe it’s time to loosen your hold. And wander into the life that’s waiting for you.
What do you think?
Are you clinging too tightly to the things you planned?
If you let go of what you are, what else might you be?
Going back to SAHM CEO
I was sitting at my workspace feeling belittled/discriminated against. First I prayed, then I opened my email on my phone and saw this quote. It was the “word” that I was waiting on.
Isn’t it wonderful when we hear just the right thing at the right time, Melanie? I think it happens more when we’re open to it… 🙂
Last May 4th, my son was killed on his way home from college (his picture at left). I finished the school year teaching my kindergarten class and then took a part-time job near my home that was very flexible and my boss was very understanding. Now I am, with Michelle’s help, organizing and beautifying my home and surroundings. In this situation, I needed someone to tell me what “The next thing” was. This is not the life I planned, but plans change. Every Mom knows that. I am peacefully working on Plan B.
Oh Kayla I am so, so sorry for your loss. I simply can’t imagine what you’ve been through and continue to go through. I hope you find light in the darkness you’ve faced. I trust you will. xo
at the age of 41 I lost my eye sight. I was already legally blind in one eye, but due to a detached retina in my other eye (and finding out I have an eye disease that I passed on to my son) I am now legally blind in both eyes. My job – I was self employed – depended on me not only being able to drive around, but on watching people (I was a customer service information gather – otherwise known as a mystery shopper). I had done this work for 23 years and was not planning on stopping. But there is really no way I can continue to do it (people’s jobs depend on me being able to see what they do or don’t do. It wouldn’t be morally or ethically fair of me to say they did or didn’t do something if I absolutely can’t see if they did or not).
So I’m basically back to the drawing board about work. I never expected to be a stay at home mom, but I’ve been doing that for two and a half years and while I do miss my work and I do miss being around adults every day, I do see some value in what I’m doing.
I look forward to starting a new career someday – when the kids are older – but I still mourn for my old one.
To lose your eyesight… what a loss Lisa. You sound like a brave and positive person and with that attitude you must be doing a wonderful job raising your kids. We can’t know what lies ahead for you, but with your attitude I believe it will be something even better than what you leave behind. All the best to you! xo
I am a music teacher to special needs students. Two years ago, my employer (school) cut me back to part-time. After having meltdown for several weeks, I made a plan to take on private piano, voice, and guitar students. I formulated a summer workshop to encourage parents so that when the new school year began, I would already have a head start on private student census. I now make more money teaching privately, than I do as a schoolteacher. I still have my school job; I think I now have the best of both worlds.
I am a music teacher to special needs students. Two years ago, my employer (school) cut me back to part-time. After having meltdown for several weeks, I made a plan to take on private piano, voice, and guitar students. I formulated a summer workshop to encourage parents so that when the new school year began, I would already have a head start on private student census. I now make more money teaching privately, than I do as a schoolteacher. I still have my school job; I think I now have the best of both worlds.
I LOVE this Susie! By being open to the possibilities on a path you didn’t choose, you created a better life for yourself. Love it. 🙂
I lost my job of 14 years 4 months ago.. This has been my motto since I found out we had a lay-off day looming.. I still don’t know which direction I’m going in, but I’m waiting to be led to my best place to be.
Keep open and the right path will become clear, Kim. I wish you well! xo