I release expectations and let go of what I cannot control.
Oh, sweet control. Challenging situations feel easier when we think we're in control of them. In fact, I can't think of anyone I know who isn't hanging onto something with a white-knuckled grip.
Expectations can always be a double-edged sword; giving us hope in things to look forward to but also possibly creating a pattern of entitlement. If something doesn't go your way, what does the after look like for you?
Letting go of expectations is something that intrigued me at the beginning of my yoga education and is part of the 8 Limbs of Yoga. In Patanjali's Yoga Sutras, we discuss the 5 yamas (moral disciplines) which are ways we conduct ourselves and interact with the outside world. Aparigraha, translating to non-greed or non-attachment, is one of those 5 yamas and one of my favorites. It can be interpreted in the idea of non-attachment to physical things (greed) as well as non-attachment to outcomes. It is something I felt that directly applied to my life at that time as I spent a lot of my time doing things with an attachment to the outcome or expected result. Shifting my mindset to align with the practice of aparigraha reminds me to do things for me. To take what I need and not worry about what I cannot control. To let go of attachments and expectations and live life authentically.
Releasing expectations and control can seem daunting when what we really want or have been working towards hangs in the balance. Letting go of control isn't a call of inaction, but rather loose action. It's really about centering ourselves to a place of wholeness and gratitude for whatever path we find ourselves on; maybe we took the plunge and fell flat on our face. Our expectation was that the leap of faith would pay off; but in our gratitude (even if it takes a while to get there), we find peace knowing that we are safe and protected regardless of the path we ended up on.
Meditation
Find a comfortable position where you can find a moment of quiet concentration.
Breathe in.
Breathe out.
Think about a past decision you've made. Without judgment and without regret. A decision you made, maybe because of pressure or expectations from others.
Breathe in.
Breathe out.
Did you make this decision out of love? Did you make this decision with expectations of what the outcome might bring? To make someone else happy? Were you acting true to yourself?
Breathe in.
Breathe out.
While it is easier said than done, letting go of expectations from others, frees us to live our lives more authentically. Letting go of what we cannot control, frees us from the expectations of what that outcome might bring.
As you come back to your space, LET GO of any judgement you feel for those decisions. Moving forward remind yourself to release expectations and let go of what you cannot control.
Comments