TOP TEN TIPS FOR TRANSFORMING YOUR LIFE - TIP 8

Just as the trees shed their leaves and go dormant each fall, it is very important that we allow our bodies and our minds a season of rest. Winter is a great time for reflection and contemplation and a time to slow down in preparation for our spring revival. In the Ashtanga Yoga world we practice the Yamas & Niyamas as part of the 8 limbs of yoga, which help us live our yoga off the mat in addition to the physical practice of the postures on the mat. The Yama, Aparigraha, teaches us the art of non possessiveness and in a deeper sense of letting go. We must let go of what no longer serves our highest purpose in order to make room for growth to propel us toward our greatest destiny.

“Sometimes letting go is an act of far greater power than defending or hanging on.”

— Eckhart Tolle

First, we must be aware of the negative factors in our life that are weighing us down or holding us back from our greatest good. Next, we must practice acceptance of what we cannot change. Finally, we must forgive both ourselves and anyone along the way who held us back or wronged us. Then, with this knowledge we can shed who and what we no longer need in a kind and compassionate way and move forward.

Photography by Libby Mcavoy

LETTING GO CREATES ALIGNMENT

Always make decisions in peace. Listen to your intuition. If something does not feel right or has negative energy, that is your intuition telling you to go in a different direction. We often hold on for the wrong reasons with fear and insecurities being major players. But our minds are similar to our homes. Every now and then we need to clean house and let go of the clutter to make room for improvements. Once we move into alignment with our calling or purpose, we begin to experience clarity and calmness.

Daily Mantras To Help You Release What No Longer Serves You:

I release confusion
I release judgment of myself and others
I release any anger that I am carrying
I release all forms of attachment; to my past, to others, to titles
I release what/who no longer serves my highest being

PHOTOGRAPHY BY MORGAN MCAVOY

MOVE FORWARD IN THE DIRECTION OF YOUR DREAMS AND YOUR DESTINY

Once you let go of all that no longer serves you, you are finally free to move forward. There are many ways that people let go. Some journal what no longer serves them, some seek counseling, some simply make changes, others write down what does not serve them and burn it in a bonfire as as a symbol that they no longer need it.

For me personally, I needed to let go of my husband that I shared more than half my life with in order to grow into my best self. Although he encouraged my growth to a certain extent, he did not stimulate my mind and often he dimmed my spirit. When I consulted my friend and Co-Founder of Total Soulful Journey, Paul, and asked what it was that he had to let go of in his life he recalled living in L.A. and how difficult the drive was to work and the sacrifices that he, his ex wife and their children had to make to live in that city. Even though he had an ideal and even exciting job with MGM, once he let all that go and moved to Oregon his quality of life improved greatly. Letting go does require courage, but once you take the leap you realize you are much stronger than you ever knew and life just continues to get better.

Letting go is not a failure. Instead it is a empowering act of acceptance and the regaining of one's personal power. So bring your awareness back to the present moment. Once we let go of what is not serving us, the Universe will conspire to make our dreams come true. Never give up. Bumps and obstacles teach us and help us grow. You are worth it and great things are coming your way!

Soaring Higher Together with You,

Libby McAvoy

P.S. Live, love, laugh, and let go..... Life is sooo good.