Permission to Be Lighter

Fill your life with love and gratitude

Would you like to live your life in a lighter, more carefree manner?

Do it. Yes, right now.

You do not need to carry anything through life that no longer works for you:

• what your parents told you

• prejudices in your social circles

• friends who aren’t actually your friends

• limiting beliefs about money, sex, talent, potential or “success”

• trauma from your past

• society’s conventions

I am probably not the first to tell you this, but the odds are pretty high that you weren’t listening when others might have mentioned this.

For example, if you are age 45 and still complaining that your parents wrecked your life, put that belief down.

You are 45! You’re in charge now.

If you are tempted to say, “Yes, but _________,” please refrain.

No matter what you are tempted to say, there are people who went through similar pain, suffering, and disadvantages… who have long since put down that pain and moved on.

I do not wish to be insensitive. Pain sucks. Suffering sucks. Fortunately, you don’t need to prolong it unnecessarily. Anything you have the option to put down, put it down.

I’m 5’7”. I’ used to wish to be 5’10”. Can’t do anything about that, so I long since put down my desire to be 5’10”.

When I was seven, I lost a year of my life to a hip disease. Body cast. Metal brace on my left leg. Couldn’t play with other kids. Worst thing that ever happened to me….

…until I realized that without that year of treatment, I wouldn’t be walking 4 to 10 miles a day like I now do. Best thing that ever happened to me!

Put down the weights you no longer need to carry.

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Be lighter!

Wake up every day with gratitude. Even on those days when the only thing you can think to be grateful for is your ability to still be grateful, so be it.

Be grateful that you can turn on your faucet and get a glass of drinkable water.

Be grateful that you can fill your chest with breathable air.

Be grateful that your brain can form coherent thoughts.

When the sun rises, smile. Pause and notice it.

When the sun sets, be grateful that it lit your day.

When you have electricity to light your evening hours, be grateful. Notice this blessing!

When you face hardships or sorrow, be grateful that you are capable of feeling emotions. Welcome all emotions, even painful ones.

When you put down a piece of baggage you no longer need, be grateful. Say goodbye with love in your heart.