MOTIVATIONAL: HOW TO LET GO & BE STRESS FREE

We all have an idea in our heads
about how things are, or how they’re supposed to be, and sadly this is what
often messes us up and stresses us out the most. 
Realize this. 
Sometimes life doesn’t give you what you WANT because you NEED something
else.  And what you need often comes when you’re not looking for it. 
You won’t always understand it and that’s OK.  Just when you think it
can’t get any worse, it does.  And then just when you think it can’t get
any better, it does.

• Create some healthy space for yourself. – Sometimes you are just too close to the puzzle to
  see the big picture.  You need to take a few steps back to gain
  clarity on the situation.  The best way to do this is to simply take
  a short break – a breather – a vacation – and explore something else for a
  little while.  Why?  So you can return to where you started and
  see things with a new set of eyes.  And the people there may see you
  differently too.  Returning where you started is entirely different
  than never leaving.
• Accept the truth and practice being grateful for what
  is. – To let go is to be grateful
  for the experiences that made you laugh, made you cry, and helped you
  learn and grow.  It’s the acceptance of everything you have,
  everything you once had, and the possibilities that lie ahead.  It’s
  all about finding the strength to embrace life’s challenges and changes,
  to trust your intuition, to learn as you go, to realize that every
  experience has value, and to continue taking positive steps forward.
• Say less and breathe more when you’re angry. – Speak when you are angry and you will make the best
  speech you will ever regret.  True story.  When you’re
  infuriated with someone, take a few deep breaths, sit quietly and think
  for a moment.  Acknowledge the true source of your anger.  Anger
  always bleeds from the inside out.  Remember that we need to fix
  ourselves first before we attempt to fix or influence others.  Trying
  to change others is a common recipe for prolonging the suffering. 
  Taking responsibility for changing yourself, and how you deal with the
  actions of others, is a recipe for growth, freedom and happiness.
• Forgive with all your heart, as often as necessary. – Forgiveness is a constant attitude of choosing happiness
  over hurt – acceptance over resistance.  It’s about acknowledging
  that we’re all mistaken sometimes; sometimes even the best of us do
  foolish things – things that have severe consequences.  But it
  doesn’t mean we are evil and unforgiveable, or that we can’t be trusted
  ever again.  Know this.  Sit with it.  It might take time
  to forgive, because it takes strength to forgive. 
  Because when you forgive, you love with all your might.  And when you
  love like this, a heavenly, healing light shines upon you.  This
  forgiveness – true forgiveness – brings you to a place where you can sincerely
  say, “Thank you for that experience,” and mean it with all your heart.
• Concentrate only on what can be changed. – Realize that not everything in life is meant to be
  modified or perfectly understood.  Live, let go, learn what you can
  and don’t waste energy worrying about the things you can’t change. 
  Focus exclusively on what you can change.  And if you can’t change
  something that’s upsetting you, change the way you think about it. 
  Review your options and then re-frame what you don’t like into a starting
  point for achieving something different in your life.
• Make the NOW your primary focus. – Now is the moment.  The past is just a
  memory.  The future is a mental projection.  You can choose to
  dwell back in the past for learning and joyous reflection.  You can
  choose to dwell in the future for visualization and practical
  planning.  However, any time your awareness floats away to the past
  or future frequently for negative purposes, you are suffocating your
  ability to thrive in the only moment you ever have – the NOW.  Past
  and future literally do not exist right now; feel the freedom in this
  truth.
• Embrace your quirks, your mistakes, and the fact that
  life is a lesson. –
  Life is a ride.  Things change, people change, but you will always be
  YOU; so stay true to yourself and never sacrifice who you are for anyone
  or anything.  You have to dare to be yourself, in this moment,
  however frightening or strange that self may prove to be.  It’s about
  realizing that even on your weakest days you
  get a little bit stronger, if you’re willing to learn.  Which
  is why, sometimes the greatest thing to come out of all your trouble and
  hard work isn’t what you get, but who you become.
• Nurture your self-worth. – Sometimes the hardest part of the journey is simply
  believing you’re worthy of the trip.  And you are!  You are
  worth it.  Tattoo that right onto your brain… Seriously!  The
  world starts to respond when you believe that about yourself.  It
  doesn’t always look like you thought it would, but positive shifts begin
  to take place when you start to recognize and acknowledge your own
  self-worth.  So watch your thoughts and stop any self-deprecating
  thoughts dead in their tracks.  Remind yourself that once upon a
  time, in an unguarded, honest moment, you recognized yourself as a worthy
  friend.
• Pay less attention to people’s judgments. – Most people hasten to judge in a desperate attempt
  to not be judged themselves.  In other words, their judgments are
  shallow and based on their own insecurities, and thus not worth worrying
  about.  And honestly, no one has the right to judge you anyway. 
  People may have heard your stories, and they may think they know you, but
  they can’t feel what you are going through; they aren’t living YOUR
  life.  So forget what they think and say about you.  Let it
  GO.  Focus on how you feel about yourself, and keep walking the path
  that feels best under your feet.
• Do everything with a touch of kindness. – Three things in human life are important: the first
  is to be kind; the second is to be kind; and the third is… you guessed it…
  to be kind.  Whatever can be done, can be done more effectively when
  you add kindness.  Whatever words are spoken, will always be more
  compelling when expressed with kindness.  The kind deeds you exert in
  just one moment can have a positive impact that lasts a lifetime.  Your
  days will be brighter and your years fuller when you add kindness to your
  purpose.  Choose to be kind every day, and you’re truly choosing to
  live in a world with less stress and more happiness.