I was sitting in the back yard with the contents of the Treasure Shed laying all around me.
I wasn't expecting to have to go through these boxes.
You know, those boxes so many of us have at the back of the closet.
Or even under the bed. Or In someone else's house. The treasures we hold onto because we think they are part of who we are. That we'd be less without them.
The discard and giveaway pile was growing bigger and bigger.
"What am I doing," I kept thinking to myself, as I tossed item after item into the pile destined for a new home.
I'm deep in the yoga of moving energy. Of letting go. Of releasing objects, places, things.
Not people. I sure love my people.
But letting go of stuff shifts energy immensely and immediately.
And even so, the deeper yoga of surrendering certain expectations, visions, commitments, responsibilities and dreams shifts things even more.
Sometimes we have to give up who we thought we were so we can become who we are meant to be.
Releasing stuff opens doors to the unknown. It's uncomfortable, raw at times. Wild, bold, brave and free at others.
Sometimes, we aren't ready to release but things just end or change.
Here's a few keys I'm learning on unlocking the gift of emptiness at the bottom of that treasure trove.
1. Thank you. Goodbye.
Give gratitude to the place, object or thing or for the experience its given us, trust it is a part of us, and let the thing go.
2. New Life.
Know that the objects we give away gain new life in someone else's world. It's so fun to give things to friends who are delighted with the gifts. It's fun to give anonymously too. It's really just fun to give. Period. Remember that we are creating new life when letting go.
3. Sometimes we are pushed to fly.
If the letting go doesn't feel like a choice (read: breakup, end of a job, friendship, etc.) know that it is always for our highest good. That assignment, home, relationship was simply no longer what we needed to grow. As hard as it may be, thank the pushers!
4. Dreams can be too small.
The top of the ladder, the position, relationship, book, or home may have been the dream. But what if we have to give that up because something even greater and better, for us, is coming down the line? Surrendering dreams is part of what clearing out our treasure trunks allows us to open up towards. We get to open to the unknown. Embrace growth.
5. Emptiness and impermanence are for reals, dude.
Everything that we own is of the nature to be separated from us. Everyone that we love too. So what can we count on? What is actually important? Not the stuff in the shed weighing us down. The quality of compassion, presence and care we bring in the here and now. This is the power of emptiness. It brings us right into the present moment. Grateful for this. And this. And this.
Susanna Barkataki teaches transformative Yoga School and Visionary Business Net-Workshops throughout the U.S.
Connect with Susanna: susanna@healthyhotgoddess.com
