It Will Change, I Promise

I was having an interesting conversation the other day with this lovely yoga studio owner. She said something that reminded me of one of the main themes in my daily mindful practice. It is to remind myself repeatedly that no matter what is happening, it will change.

People Can’t See Beyond the Pain

Whenever something is going wrong in our lives, whether it’s physical pain, an emotional issue, something off with our career, or a relationship problem, we always think it will last forever. We cannot look at it logically and know that it will change. All of life is ephemeral, meaning nothing stays the same or lasts forever.

I have a terrible habit of waking up with some physical pain (back, knee, stomach, etc.) and then making it worse by obsessing about it and worrying that it is something more serious than it is and will last forever.

Instead, I should reflect on my fifty-six years of experience to help me remember that nothing ever stays the same. It may hurt for a day, a week, or even longer, but eventually, it will change. Everything does.

Attachment Makes Suffering Worse

The yoga studio owner said the most incredible thing about attachment. She said when it came time to take a giant leap to make her dreams come true, she went all in with zero attachment. I loved it! She put her whole self into the work but didn’t attach to any specific outcome. She let it unfold as it was supposed to, and she is very successful because of it.

We don’t always get what we want when we hold on too desperately to something or demand a specific outcome. If we are suffering, that attachment makes it so much worse. Obsessing or trying to figure things out when I am in pain only makes the pain last longer. When I move on, detach, and forget about it, it goes away. It works 100% of the time. If only I could remember that when I am in the moment.

Embrace Impermanence if You Want to Feel in Control

Instead of fighting and resisting what is happening around you, try instead to flip that idea on its head and lean into it. Embrace the concept of impermanence. If nothing lasts forever and everything is constantly changing, then whatever is bothering you won’t last long. Pretty soon, you’ll move on to the next thing. Chances are you won’t even realize it. The trick is to completely allow it to be without even wanting it to change. That is the entire concept of mindfulness.

I have learned the hard way that to resist is to continue suffering. Letting go is a fantastic tool that helps me detach and let life be what it is. Allowing things to happen as they must make my life happier and healthier. I read a great book recently on Letting Go by David Hawkins.

Stop Worrying, It Will Change

Whenever you catch yourself worrying or blowing things out of proportion, remember it will change whether you do nothing or everything.

Make life easier on yourself by letting go, detaching more from people, places, jobs, and ideas, and going with the flow.

What are some of the ways you practice detachment?