The Courage to Let Go and Leap Forward

After posting my thoughts about building a Positive Support Network, I received a number of comments (via Facebook, Twitter, and private email) about how Step 1 (Be willing to release yourself from toxic environments and people in your life) is much easier said than done!

It's almost amusing how much most of us resist letting go of the things that aren't working in our lives (and I'm definitely referring to myself here, too!) What's familiar feels comfortable and safe to us, even if we don't like it. Even if we aren't willing to admit it, we know that we need to let go of certain people, habits, commitments, possessions (and maybe even the job we've hated forever) if we are going to move in the direction of our dreams. This is just as true whether the dream is a successful career or a strong and healthy body.

Letting go of what's no longer serving us is an act of courage and trust - the courage to honour our true needs and desires, and the trust that by releasing what we no longer need, we are creating space for our heart's desires to move into our lives.

EFT is a wonderful tool to help us through this process of letting go. Here is a tapping script to get you started (as usual, feel free to adapt the wording in any way that feels right for you):

Karate Chop (Setup):
Even though I've been denying my own needs and desires for a long time, I love and accept myself anyway.
Even though I always say YES when I really mean NO, I forgive myself for not being able to speak my own truth.
Even though it feels scary to let go of things, I'm willing to trust my own instincts about what I no longer need in my life.
Even though I always do what other people think I should do, instead of listening to my heart, I'm open to the idea that I have the courage to follow my heart now.

Eyebrow: I've always been a people pleaser
Side of Eye: It's selfish to ask for what I want
Under Eye: What if I start saying "NO" and no one likes me anymore?
Under Nose: I'm afraid to ask for what I want
Chin: I'm afraid to let go of things
Collarbone: What if I let go and I have nothing left?
Under Arm: I worry about what everyone else thinks
Top of Head: I've never been good at setting boundaries

Eyebrow: Maybe it's safe for me to let go of a few things
Side of Eye: I'm ready for a change anyway
Under Eye: No one else can know what's right for me
Under Nose: It's safe for me to speak up for myself
Chin: I can say "NO" and still be kind and loving
Collarbone: I can easily release things I no longer need
Under Arm: It's safe for me to honour my own needs and desires
Top of Head: I give myself permission to be true to my Authentic Self

Recommended Resource:
Cheryl Richardson's Stand Up For Your Life has many useful suggestions and exercises for helping you to let go of what you no longer need in your life with love and grace.

What is it time for you to let go of?

Image by Federico Stevanin, courtesy of freedigitalphotos.net