Letting go of control.

One of the most valuable lessons I've ever learned is that it's ok not to be in control. That in all likelihood, the greatest deal of control we can ever have is in letting go and opening ourselves up to the opportunities that may come without being tied to the thoughts we've known. The difficulty is that well, it's a hard thing to do. It takes a long time, and unlearning a lot of the belief we grow up to have. We never realise how much we are being held back by the illusion that we can have the say in everything that happens to us. Really, none of us have any idea what will happen tomorrow, next week, next year or the year after that. It's frightening not to have a plan, daunting to not have control over the direction we're headed in. But theres are also things to be gained that are much more valuable than that; freedom and hope. The freedom to let ourselves be guided by new opportunities, new people, new places and the hope that is opened up to us by no longer clinging to an (understandable) belief. The dark side of control is that it only becomes so important in our happiest, and therefore most vulnerable times. When we're so frightened of losing what we've found, that we try to manage everything so uniformly and cling to it so tightly that we forget what's really important. To be as kind to ourselves as we can be, and to recognise that no matter what the world throws at us, we'll manage because we always do. We're pretty resilient creatures, us humans. To let go, and be free of the anxiety, worry and fear that accompany control like an unwanted house guest is such a comfort that everything we risk losing in the process is compensated for a hundred times over by the simple acknowledgement that you're going to be absolutely fine, that everything gets easier. It's enough to give everything your best go. If it goes wrong, so what? You'll still be breathing, you'll still have all the people you care for, and a new start with each new day. Next time you find yourself worrying over something, just take a minute and put it into perspective. Most things that you worry about will never happen. Don't let them take up any more room in your head that could be saved for happier, better things.