Wisdom keepers the world over remind us to detach from our expectations. Many words or phrases are used to encourage us to practice this ageless wisdom: release, cleanse, let go, detach, and cut your losses. The ego can become very protective of our ambitions, occasionally sabotaging our best efforts. The last thing the ego wants to do is let go. The ego lives under the illusion that holding on is where the strength is. Often the ego holds on to the point of choking the human spirit. Cutting your losses begins with an objective look at the situation and taking stock of all gains and losses. Often, the ego hangs on to losses as a means of control. An example might include holding a grudge, seeking revenge, staying in a toxic relationship or prolonged grieving. Expectations, perceptions, attitudes can become dead weights around the neck. Dead weights make you sink. Learning to detach from an emotional situation is a skill, and like any skill, it takes practice. Cutting your losses (a term often used in the business world, but aptly applied to one’s personal life) means dump the dead weights around your neck and swim to the surface. Cutting your losses is the first step toward emotional freedom. As the expression goes, “How can our dreams fly when they are tethered to the ground?”
Stress Tip for the Day:
Step outside yourself for a moment and take a good look at yourself— as objectively as you can (try to see yourself as a stranger or colleague might see you upon). Are there things in your life that you are holding on to that have become deadweights around your neck? Are there things you are holding on to that in all honesty, are casualties of a bruised ego? Begin to make a list of things in your life that you are a little too closely associated with. It might be your house, a job, a financial decision, perhaps even a (toxic) relationship. Weigh the pros (gains) and cons (losses). Pick one aspect of your life and begin to lighten the load. Remember this sage advice: Nature abhors a vacuum. Whatever you let go of, will often be replaced by something of equal or greater value.
And, as the expression goes, pain is inevitable, suffering is optional.
Links, Books & Movies Worth Noting:
I googled the expression ‘cutting your losses” and came up with a host of different links, including the following: If these might be of interest, take a peek.
http://www.paulstips.com/brainbox/pt/home.nsf/link/11122006-If-you-find-yourself-in-a-hole-the-first-thing-to-do-is-stop-digging
http://www.pickthebrain.com/blog/knowing-when-to-cut-your-losses-and-call-it-quits/
http://www.examiner.com/la-in-los-angeles/5-steps-to-cutting-your-losses-a-dead-end-relationship
Photo for the Day:
Today’s photo was taken a few weeks ago on Hanalei Bay, Kauai. Enjoy!
Quote for the Day:
“Sometimes walking away is avoidance. Other times, walking away is salvation. It’s always best to know the difference.” — Anonymous
Brian Luke Seaward, Ph.D. is an internationally renowned expert in the fields of stress management, mind-body-spirit healing and stress and human spirituality. He is the author of over 10 books including the bestsellers, Stand Like Mountain, Flow Like Water, Stressed Is Desserts Spelled Backward, The Art of Calm, Quiet Mind, Fearless Heart and Managing Stress (6E). He can be reached through his website:www.brianlukeseaward.net.
© Brian Luke Seaward, Ph.D.
