I’m on a plane for a visit with my mother. I left my cell phone at home. I did not leave my cell phone at home on purpose. This is an unintended cell phone fast. Eventually I may stop reaching into my purse to grab the phone that isn’t there – or maybe I won’t. These days, if you don’t have your phone, it is as if you don’t have an arm…which is crazy!
Instead of using my phone, what will I do? I will talk face to face with my family and I will not be even a tiny bit distracted by a buzzing sound in my purse. I will know that the world will not fall apart if I don’t see the most recent post or text message. There is some letting go that needs to happen here (I say to myself with a firm voice). Letting go could mean, should mean, more freedom.
It gets me thinking. Where else would I – would you - reap the benefit of letting go, even just a little? What would the impact of that letting go be?
If you let go of believing that everyone should get along all the time, you might be more outspoken and say what you think, instead of holding your opinions inside.
If you let go of the belief that disappointing someone will irreparably damage the relationship, you might take a chance and make life decisions for yourself and not for them.
If you let go of believing that every little thing on your to-do list must get done today, you might do some really good work on the most important things.
If you let go of your fear that you are not talented or smart or fill-in-the-blank enough, it might open your eyes to the unique qualities you have and allow you space to make good use of them.
The fact is, we all believe things about ourselves or others that are simply not true. What is the truth about my leaving my cell phone at home? I will make it through the weekend and so will my friends and family. There will be more introspection and less reading about other’s exploits. I will connect with the people around me.
The next time you find yourself saying “but I have to” or “I could never do” or “I’m just not as good as” or any other definitive statement like these, let it go. Take a moment to examine if your belief is really true. Ask yourself what else could be true. Most importantly, let the pressure go. Live as if you don’t have a cell phone and nobody cares (especially you). Sometimes the most valuable life lessons are accidental ones.
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