Let Go Of The Old

"When you let go, you create space for something better.” 
--Anonymous

1. 
   
   I love fall. It's one of the most beautiful and mysterious seasons. We can look at the exact same kind of trees all in a row and some of the leaves have turned and some haven't. How does that happen? The reds and the golds of the leaves that are changing and falling are just spectacular! The trees are letting go of this year's leaves so they can sleep and refuel for next year's growth. The vineyards turn an amazing shade of brown from the frost. The hops have been harvested and it's time to pull the annual flowers and chop back some of the perennials.
   
   Fall is a time of change, a time for nature to let go of the old and begin to prepare for the new. We sold our favorite home in 2019 and you know we looked at fifty houses to buy. I never thought that I would find something that I loved as much as our old home. I cried the day I cleaned the old home so the new owner could move in.
   
   I wasn't sure how I felt when we moved into this new home. "Can I live here with the same joy that I experienced  in the other house?" was the question that I asked myself while sitting in the midst of many unpacked boxes.  I had to erase that thought from my mind, because it was my choice to choose that same joy...or not.  I could choose that same pleasure in this home that I felt before. And that took letting go.
   
   I needed to let go of the old and embrace the new and I decided to do that.
   
   My question to you is, what are you hanging on to that needs to be shed so you can prepare to bring in the new?  What leaves are hanging on your tree that are bursting with the red and gold of letting go, so you can embrace the new?  What old thinking patterns need to change so that new you can spring forth?
   
   One night, after we moved in to the new home, I was watching football. At the commercial break I got up and went to the kitchen to experience the sunset through the wisteria out my kitchen window. I looked out the sliding glass door into my park-like backyard. I stood in that bright kitchen and overwhelming joy welled up inside me. I realized that I love this home...and I love it more than I did the old one. Embracing the new chapter in our lives with excitement and anticipation told me that the decision to let go was a good one.
   
   Need help letting go of some old to make room for the new?  I'm just an email away.
   
   Contentedly typed,
   
   Jan
   
   Jan McDonald
   The John Maxwell Team