Let go of trying to let go. Many times when I am working with clients, it becomes clear that the concept of letting go of what is holding them back is too much to ask of them. They focus so much on what they should let go of, that they only grasp on tighter! Letting go can’t be explained or even taught. You have to experience it and it won’t happen with a checklist or a baby step process. Letting go must be a choice, an intentional process. Something you do, day by day.

One of my favorite illustrations and rituals to experience how to just let go of letting go is the release of a balloon. That balloon represents all the things you hang on to, the hurts, the broken dreams and promises, the traumas and tragedies, the triumphs and the rewards that are fleeting. Letting go doesn’t have to be hard. It can be as simple as the release of that light balloon ascending into the sky, floating and careening away from you, allowing new experiences and lessons to propel you toward growth.

Don’t just try to let go of what you’re holding on to. Actually let it go!

Kelly Orchard's Apple A Day is available in print! Four in the series, with an accompanying journal page to track your thoughts and success!

https://kellyorchard.com/apple-a-day-books/

.  Let go and be BOLD! What does it mean to you to be bold? In general, it means showing an ability to take risks; confident and courageous. But, even that definition is going to be subjective. So, how will you let go of a mediocre life a be bold? In the film “Bruce Almighty”, the character played by Jim Carey (aka Bruce), wants more success in his life and he is angry and grudge holding because others have been promoted before him and have more than he does. They have much more perceived success and happiness. Bruce complains he is tired of his mediocre career, mediocre apartment… mediocre life.

In the film, Bruce learns that when he let’s go of the anger, the grudges, the perception that his ‘mediocre’ life is of little value, he begins to live boldly! He becomes more confident and courageous in his work, life and becomes successful!

In order to let go and be bold, you must be ready to release grudges and forgive more.  Holding onto anger and hurt only causes more pain.

Let go and be bold!

Kelly Orchard's Apple A Day is available in print! Four in the series, with an accompanying journal page to track your thoughts and success!

https://kellyorchard.com/apple-a-day-books/

Let go of comparing yourself to the people you work with, or your neighbors, or your kid’s parents, or your friends. I too can be guilty of comparing my success to others, or my appearance. Celebrate the true you, by letting go of comparing your accomplishments, education, life experiences or even tragedies to others. You are unique in your own special way, and no two people are alike. Cherish that idea. Celebrate the individual that you are!

When you judge yourself too harshly and feel inferior to others, jealousy and envy rise up and poison your spirit. Take stock in a life review, look at where you’ve been and how far you have come – on your journey. Each of us are on our own journey through life and just like you are unique, so are they. No two journey’s will ever be the same. When you focus on your life, your experiences, your intentions, you’ll begin to seek to grow from it, and cease to feeling victimized by circumstances. Take time for self care, personal growth through learning and understanding your own journey, and you will let go of comparing yourself to others.

Kelly Orchard's Apple A Day is available in print! Four in the series, with an accompanying journal page to track your thoughts and success!

https://kellyorchard.com/apple-a-day-books/

How often do you find yourself giving unsolicited advice to family, friends, colleagues or even the lady perusing the apples in the produce section of the grocery store? Did they even ask for advice from you? And if they did, do you believe they will actually utilize your humble opinion?

Giving unsolicited advice, if not careful can actually be your attempt to control the other person’s behaviors. And, you may not even realize that that is what you are doing. It’s time to spend more time focusing on yourself and leading by an example. Let go of trying to control others.

Zen blogger, Leo Babauta says, “Let go of wanting to control people, of wanting to change them. Instead, focus on yourself and be the shining example. Be the compassionate center.”

When we try to control others it leads to resentment and resistance. Trying to control others only impedes our growth which we need in order to move forward and enjoy our life fully. Enjoy your life by letting go of controlling others!

Kelly Orchard's Apple A Day is available in print! Four in the series, with an accompanying journal page to track your thoughts and success!

https://kellyorchard.com/apple-a-day-books/

Who do you think you are? The answer to that question isn’t all that pretty! I remember sharing with a friend of mine the struggles I was having while operating my family radio station. She was a dear friend, but as a homemaker had never actually spent time in a professional world. We were friends of a different nature and she was naïve to my business and professional life. When she inquired, “Who do you think you are, Kelly?”, I was taken aback only because at that very moment, it became abundantly clear that this particular friend would never quite understand the problem I needed to address. To her, I was a mother, just like her.  It wasn’t who I thought I was that she was asking about, it was her own sense of believing that ‘mother’ was all she was, nothing more.  Was my friend limiting what she might be by thinking that she was merely a wife and mother?

I still see this old, dear friend on occasion and she is much more today than she was when we first had this revelation. She let go of thinking she was “just a mother”, and grew into more than she had imagined.

It is written in the Tao Te Ching,  “When I let go of what I am, I become what I might be. When I let go of what I have, I receive what I need.”

Let go of who you think you are, and grow!

Kelly Orchard's Apple A Day is available in print! Four in the series, with an accompanying journal page to track your thoughts and success!

https://kellyorchard.com/apple-a-day-books/

You may remember the television program Charmed where the three sisters were witches and battled supernatural demons with intentions to ruin their lives and the lives of others. Remember all the awesome tools and tricks they employed in order to banish those demons from their lives.

It’s time for you to let go and banish all of your demons! Yes, those demons that cause you to hold grudges, be angry and frustrated, and prevent you from enjoying your life. Those demons that keep you chained to a past that only breeds more negativity and unhappiness.  You may try to convince others that your situation is more unique and traumatic, therefore you deserve to hold on to it. But, honestly, everyone is unique and by holding onto these demons, you are only preventing yourself from blooming into the happy and successful creation that you truly are and want to be.

Celebrate that you’ve come this far!

Oprah Winfrey said, “Breathe. Let go. And remind yourself that this very moment is the only one you know you have for sure.”

Kelly Orchard's Apple A Day is available in print! Four in the series, with an accompanying journal page to track your thoughts and success!

https://kellyorchard.com/apple-a-day-books/

Have you ever uttered the words, “I know what you’re going to tell me”… or … “This is never going to work!”

 Let go of the certainty in your perception. You are not a fortune teller, or a predictor of the future. Nothing is certain.

Believing in certainty will lead you to either never making decisions or just plain always expecting the worst to happen, therefore manifesting failure. There is so much talk about ‘manifesting’, and ‘abundance’ and ‘visualization’ – all buzz words for one simple principle. When you believe that anything is possible, you open up more possibilities! It’s true.  Just like how one might visualize a garden, the possibilities would be endless as they imagine flowers, shrubs, succulents, trees and the like.  Now, if one speaks or thinks about that garden with the certainty that it’ll be too much work, or that they will fail to keep the plants alive, the garden will most like never come to life.

Let go of that certainty! Although you can’t predict the future, you can alter your perception of it and do what it takes to insure your happiness and success. Yes, you can ‘manifest’, create ‘abundance’, by ‘visualizing’ how you want life to look like. Then, let go of the certainty because you aren’t a fortune teller. Do the work!

Kelly Orchard's Apple A Day is available in print! Four in the series, with an accompanying journal page to track your thoughts and success!

https://kellyorchard.com/apple-a-day-books/

Let go of judging and be more understanding. When you judge others opinions, beliefs, views or behaviors – you may find that somehow you feel empowered and created a self-esteem boost, but eventually you’ll begin to feel badly. Who do you know in your business or personal life that judges others harshly? Women can be very guilty of judging other women for their appearance or how their children behave. Differing religions often judge other religious views in a negative light. Cultures judge other cultures, generations judge other generations, and the list goes on.

Judging others causes a temporary sense of superiority, but it never really lasts. When you really make an effort toward understanding that we are all different, with different beliefs, views and opinions, possibilities, growth and opportunities open up to you.

Be proud of who you are, and increase your self- esteem by being understanding of others. Let go of judgements!

Be a person who thinks, does and helps.

Kelly Orchard's Apple A Day is available in print! Four in the series, with an accompanying journal page to track your thoughts and success!

https://kellyorchard.com/apple-a-day-books/

Let go and be YOU!

What prevents you from being exactly who you are? It’s usually some sort of self hate, or low esteem or a belief that we don’t deserve happiness, success or prosperity. It’s time to let go of hate, it is an ugly feeling. The cycle of hate toward ourselves and others breeds more hate. It is an ugly, perpetual circle. When you let go of hate, you will do just the opposite. You will hold onto love and you will be closer to the true you. Love is such a beautiful act, and when you act in love, miracles happen.

Philosopher Alan Watts wrote, “The attitude of faith is to let go, and become open to truth, whatever it might turn out to be.”

Who is the true you? If you can’t answer that question, it is time for you to let go of the hate that blocks you from love. You cannot love yourself and be who you are really meant to be if you hold on to hate.

Let go, and be you! As they say … warts and all! Love your flaws, love your quirks. Honor your weaknesses and celebrate your strengths. You are perfect … exactly as you are! Let go and be you!

Kelly Orchard's Apple A Day is available in print! Four in the series, with an accompanying journal page to track your thoughts and success!

https://kellyorchard.com/apple-a-day-books/

Let go of perfection! We often expect so much from ourselves. Is perfectionism sabotaging your life and career? When my daughter was a pre-teen, she would spend so much time in front of the mirror doing her hair before she left for school. It was a morning ritual. She would comb and put her hair in barrettes or a pony tail, or braid, or whatever hairstyle it was going to be that day and if a hair was out of place, or she couldn’t get the hair to lay in just the right way, she would throw down the comb and scream, “I hate my hair!”. She wanted… no needed it to be absolutely perfect. And she wasted a lot of time trying to make it perfect. I remember a teacher at a parent conference informing me that she was an over-achiever, on the brink of perfectionism that needed to be carefully watched, or she would become obsessive. Thankfully, she eventually overcame the need for perfectionism with her hair, but not without some lessons along the way. The need to be perfect could be a result of low self-esteem and feelings of inadequacy.

Let go of the need to be perfect. Nobody is perfect!

Kelly Orchard's Apple A Day is available in print! Four in the series, with an accompanying journal page to track your thoughts and success!

https://kellyorchard.com/apple-a-day-books/