Some things are heavy
Let them go
Let them go
Tie no weights to your ankles

Joybell C. Author

Endings and beginnings

I don't know if you watched the Coronation at the weekend. Those who did witnessed a moment of significant transition. A point in history as the crown passed from one monarch to another. As we move into the testing and examination season we are experiencing another transition, of children going through this process and entering a new period of their lives. As the blue bells spread their purple carpet in the park we notice spring transitioning into summer.

As leaders we are experiencing transitions all the time, some may be small as we, move from meeting to meeting during the day. Some are larger as we move on in our careers and our lives. Every transition begins with an ending and ends with a beginning.

Each transition is an invitation to 'let go' of something - be it a previous conversation, a thought we are ruminating on, a school we knew well and loved, or in some cases as we mature as leaders, letting go of the person we thought we were.

As we learn to 'let go', greater clarity can emerge and a spaciousness can open up in our minds and hearts. In that space we can 'let in' new ways of working and of being. We can become more alert to invitations and new experiences that can help our ongoing development as leaders.

But letting go isn't easy and holding on can become a habit

Here’s how Mindfulness can help ….

How Mindfulness can help

Jack Kornfield says 'the art of living wisely is to learn to let go'. Wise leaders become aware of what ‘holding on’ feels like, whether that's of a thought, a belief, our reputation, or our way of viewing the world.

Every day brings an invitation, particularly at a point of transition, to notice this and live more wisely by learning to let go and come into the present moment. We are then more able to touch each moment of this changing life lightly and be there fully for whatever arises next.

So how might you you skilfully manage these transitions in your day? At these points, how might you cultivate a short practice to remind yourself to let go of that which you are holding onto, and enter into the next moment of your day with a little more ‘lightness of being’.

You are invited to try this short practice at some point in the day when you leave one activity or encounter and before you begin another. It’s a reminder to take a moment and ‘ease up’ on yourself through using the breath as a way of 'letting be, letting go and letting in’.

Step 1 - Settle.
At any point or period of transition take a moment, pause and give yourself a nice solid base. Like a mountain, place your feet on the floor, allowing your body to become still, and plant yourself steadfastly on the ground. Now place your attention on the breath. Feel the breath entering and leaving the body.

 Step 2 - Let Be.
Open up your awareness to what's going on right now for you. As you rest your attention lightly on the breath, do a quick scan of the body noting points of tension. Notice what’s going on in the mind, what thoughts are present?. We are not trying to fix or change anything as we 'take stock' in this way. We practise simply noticing whatever is going on for us and let it be. This prepares us for the next step.

 Step 3 - Let Go.
Using the longer out breath, intentionally soften any tension in the body. Allow a slower and longer out breath to follow thoughts in your 'mind stream' as they shift into and out of your awareness. Imagine, as best you can, that the tension, the thoughts, and any fixed ideas you are holding are flowing out of your body with the longer out breath. With each out breath let the shoulders drop, letting go of any mental or emotional burdens you might be carrying. 

Step 4 - Let In.
You may now feel a little more spaciousness in the body or the mind. In this spaciousness invite in ‘the good’. Perhaps take a moment to reflect on someone or something that you are grateful for today. Bring to mind a small kindness, something that gladdened your heart today and lifted your spirits. Give some kindness to yourself - perhaps reminding yourself of the good job you do, do in and day out. Allow yourself to savour this for a moment.

If you want to explore further, the psychologist and mindfulness practitioner Rick Hanson has a number of resources that explore the art of letting go. In this video he carefully outlines practices that support an ongoing releasing of thoughts and feelings that can cause us harm and impact negatively on our well being and effectiveness.