To let go of outcomes

The teacher at a training session I went to last year had a phrase that she repeated more than once. I'm glad she repeated it because it took a few times for it to sink in. The phrase was:

"let go of outcomes."

I had never heard of that before. I mean maybe in different words I'd heard that. But, this phrase really spoke to me.

I think because most of the time in my life I have held tightly to outcomes.

I want a happy marriage so what can I do?

I want well adjusted smart children, so what must I do to ensure that?

I want to be liked, and well-loved by everyone. What must I do?

What I heard again and again in this class (even tho the class was not on this topic specifically) was to let go of outcomes. let go of the illusion of control that I have of how things turn out.

Oh, yes, I have some control. It's not that I give up all control. But, there is a limit to what I can control. I cannot control another persons actions, for example.

I can teach and train my child in the ways that I want him to go, the ways that I believe are right, but in the end, my child has a free will and will decide one way or another.

seen on Facebook this week

That decision and the myriads of decisions of others' are out of my control. What is in my control are my choices. My decisions.

Lord, help me to be open to the idea of letting go of outcomes. I know my life will go so much better.

Amen.

Thanks for stopping by, friend!

Anne


Linking up with other writers at Five Minute Friday today for 5 minutes of free writing. Unedited. Today's prompt is "open".