How to Create Space for Something New
Nature knows how to create new
Courage is the power to let go of the familiar.
~ Raymond Lindquist
Mother Nature has become one of my best, most relied upon teachers on the topic of success and this letter is inspired by her.
In the season of fall, the trees are not simply changing, they are also releasing their leaves.
It is this season that reminds us of what is required for to create space in our life.
Space that create ease.
Space that can remain open.
Space for rest.
Or space for something new to emerge.
What no longer serves you?
The leaves on the trees, as beautiful as they are in fall, are reaching an end to their period of contribution. Fall is the season where the trees let go of their leaves.
Not usually in one fell swoop. Sometimes, if there is a storm or great gust of wind a whole lot more, but usually it’s slow and gradual.
Fall is a time to release what no longer serves, done with the spirit and approach that Mother Nature takes, gradually, with patience, over a period of time.
Can you notice a pattern, or behavior, or way of being that isn’t serving the same purpose it once did?
What can you set down?
As I ponder this time of release, and what I want to set down, this year, it’s an old way of thinking that I’m ready to let go of.
Beliefs and prior ways of thinking can feel near impossible to release.
When it comes to old ways of thinking, following nature’s lead is a reliable path forward, in fact, when I work with clients, I regularly scan for the beliefs that get in the way of their change, and make them visible.
The setting down and releasing of an old way takes time. It takes making it visible. It takes patience. And while that belief once served, as did all the leaves on the trees, it must be released on behalf of the new that wants to emerge.
It matters how we set things down
Just because you decide to set something down, doesn’t mean that you’re free.
Liberation is a process, not an event.
So stay kind, patient, and bring intention to the process. Every time you see the belief or mind chatter in action, just like the trees in the forest, pause, and release it.
Release can happen simply by seeing and naming what you want to release, or writing it down and seeing it on paper outside of yourself.
And perhaps after some weeks, you can pause and feel the change of release. And likely there will still be leaves of belief to release. And that’s okay. When we feel the discomfort of an old belief hanging on tight, don’t inadvertently start to believe that just because it’s taking time, that something is wrong.
Release, and creating space is a process of letting go.
Setting down creates space for change
Within some weeks the trees will be completely bare.
And while they will also have a period of dormancy, they will also create room for new.
So whether it’s an old pattern, a way of thinking, too much clutter in your closet, a kitchen hiding some old and stale ingredients, good intentions, a project started that no longer needs to be finished, it all applies.
Embrace the spirit of fall.
Name what needs to be released,
And set it down.
Then set it down again.
And keep setting it down.
And then again.
And maybe 100 more times this week.
And 10,000 times this season.
Because those trees have a lot of leaves on them.
Go forth with curiosity, compassion and courage to create space for whatever new is calling.
The seasons, however they show up for you, where you live are a great teacher.
In service of you and the agenda that’s calling,
