“To live is to be willing to die over and over again.” ~Pema Chodron
A lot of times we say we want to expand our world, but without realizing it we attach to the way things are.
We attach to our feelings, relationships, and circumstances, and then fight to hold onto them for dear life. It’s scary to let go of what is and what works, and sometimes even what doesn’t work. Familiar and bearable can be a lot more comforting than the unknown and potentially dissatisfying.
And yet tomorrow is always unknown. No matter how secure we may feel with what we have, everything can change in a heartbeat. We can choose to fear what could go wrong and then wade into a murky tomorrow feeling fearful and resistant, or embrace the possibility of what could go right and face tomorrow with excitement and wonder.
Every day we can mourn who we were before or many befores ago, or celebrate who we’re becoming now and in the nows to come. Which do you choose today?
Photo by daz smith
About Lori Deschene
Lori Deschene is the founder of Tiny Buddha. She started the site after struggling with depression, bulimia, c-PTSD, and toxic shame so she could recycle her former pain into something useful and inspire others to do the same. You can find her books, including Tiny Buddha’s Gratitude Journal and Tiny Buddha’s Worry Journal, here and learn more about her eCourse, Recreate Your Life Story, if you’re ready to transform your life and become the person you want to be.
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Though I run this site, it is not mine. It's ours. It's not about me. It's about us. Your stories and your wisdom are just as meaningful as mine. 
That’s so true. Living is the fear of ‘what happens’ is the reason we stay back in relationships, business, family well, everywhere. I think this is what we need to learn to enjoy the essence of life. Just be yourself everywhere. Be a child.
I love children. They don’t need to learn to be happy or be noisy or loud. They don’t need to read a hundred blog posts to stay motivated. They are just themselves. They don’t clinch themselves to fear. They cry when they feel. They don’t care what others think (Remember the movie theater?) about them. They become again, and again and again.
spot on & perfect timing! as i work hard on doing what i love, i find myself often anxious before what is a success. whether it be small or large, the anxiety seems negative. trying to go with it and create blissfully!
Wise words, Lori. Thanks for the very timely reminder.
Great timing for me as I have just embarked on something that is totally out of my comfort zone. I feel more positive about it now!
Great timing for me too – I just deleted my FB and Orkut accounts and let the world know about it! Thank you!
Must feel liberating to trim down your online presence a bit. I’ve been limiting my social media time, and I’ve found it makes a huge difference for my happiness and mindfulness. Congrats on the positive changes!
That’s fantastic! Best of luck with your new venture. =)
You are most welcome!
I know that feeling well, Matt. I get really passionate about the things I’m working on and sometimes caring deeply can lead to anxiety. You said it nicely–there’s nothing better than blissful creating!
“They don’t need to read a hundred blog posts to stay motivated.” <~ This is so true! Somewhere along the lines, we got it into our heads that everything worth having takes a lot of work. Some of the most valuable things we can gain require little other than being and becoming. Thanks for your insightful comment!
It’s important for me to remember that what we have that’s good can be taken away in a heartbeat…but also to know that the conditions of today that may not feel so good, can change in a heartbeat, as well.
anicca [anicca]: Inconstant; unsteady; impermanent
Sometimes things feel “oh, this is just the way it it.”
Everything always changing.