By Kathy Solberg / Herald Forum
As the trees shed their leaves and daylight wanes, fall naturally becomes a season of letting go. But in our fast-paced, information-saturated world, the art of releasing what no longer serves us is more crucial than ever. So, what do you need to let go of?
Fall for me is also time to pay attention and there surely is a lot to pay attention to these days. Otto Scharmer, a renowned thought leader, once said, “The power of attention is the real superpower of our age. Attention aligned with intention can make mountains move.” In a world brimming with distractions, choosing where to focus our attention is both a challenge and an opportunity.
What are you paying attention to? The results of the elections? Global conflicts? The changing colors of autumn? It’s easy to feel overwhelmed. I see so much organized irresponsibility on the world canvas. I am choosing to focus on what a future can look like. Focusing on things that are tainted with judgment and not looking toward the good for all is a choice. Seeking to understand the stories behind how individuals see things and those differences so we can truly move toward a greater good is not the most simple of paths, and it is also a choice. By consciously directing our focus, we can make a significant difference in our lives and the world around us.
For me, the journey of letting go began with releasing the need for perfection. With dozens of article ideas swirling in my mind, I had to let go of the notion of writing the “perfect” piece. This release allowed me to break through writer’s block and share my thoughts with you today.
Loss can be a catalyst. A recent fire that destroyed my husband’s workshop and my studio that he built nearly single-handedly, became a powerful lesson in letting go. We lost a lifetime of tools, weaving and art supplies, and realized we were deeply blessed with community, our spared residence and new potential. In releasing these physical items, we created space for new possibilities. This experience taught us that sometimes, letting go is not just about release; it’s about making room for growth.
Marvin Weisbord, an organizational systems leader, offers a perspective shift: “I used to ask ‘What’s wrong? How can I fix it?’ Then I realized the right question was ‘What’s possible and who cares?’” This change in focus from problems to possibilities can be transformative. And for me, realizing it was not my role to fix it was also a leap.
In a world where it’s easy to dwell on what’s wrong, intentionally shifting our attention to what’s possible can open doors to unexpected solutions and opportunities.
Bill O’Brien suggests that “The success of an intervention depends on the interior condition of the intervenor.” In other words, our internal state often matters more than our actions. This insight highlights the importance of emotional, physical and spiritual work; the often-overlooked process of centering ourselves amidst chaos.
As we navigate the complexities of modern life, here are some questions to consider:
• What narratives, relationships, or habits no longer serve you?
• How can you align your skills and strengths with what truly matters to you?
• What’s possible in your life if you let go of what’s holding you back?
Remember, if systemic change were easy, someone would have achieved it by now. But by starting with ourselves — letting go of judgment, embracing diverse perspectives, and focusing on possibilities — we can begin to make a difference.
In the end, perhaps the most powerful thing we can let go of is the belief that we’re powerless to effect change. By aligning our attention with our intentions, we might just move mountains after all.
Kathy Solberg leads a consulting business, CommonUnity. Learn more at www.commonunity-us.com.
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