For the second year I traveled to California at the beginning of August for a fitness conference. Last year said conference changed my life. I left the West Coast with a plan to stop doing so much for others and start doing more for myself. It challenged me to look at my goals in life and to align what I was doing with what I wanted for my future. I sit typing this more at peace with my professional and personal life, knowing that each day where I am now is putting me in closer reach to my ultimate goals. After so many earth-shattering (for me) breakthroughs last year, I did not know what to expect out of my visit to the Golden State this time around. What I came home with this year may be even more powerful than in 2008.
I don’t know about you, dear reader, but I have many things from my past that I have a hard time forgetting. Experiences that I just can’t seem to let go of that haunt my personal and professional growth. At times I can dwell on these people from my past, the things they said or did…the things I have said or done. There are days I let the “junk in my trunk” crush the dreams and visions I hold so dear to my heart.
A fitness conference, you must think all I did was workout. You couldn’t be further from the truth. Last Friday I sat in a room of more than 300 people to listen to Craig Holiday present to us about “Hand Me Downs.” His message I share with you: “There are things from our past that we will never forget…but you can learn how to deal…you have to clean out your trunk to overcome the struggle, to learn, and move forward. Once you clean out your trunk you can learn how to deal with the junk differently…but don’t pass it on, deal with it, and make a change.” Then he said, “You have to forgive yourself because there are so many people that just won’t change.”—Craig Holiday
Wow. What powerful words to hear on a Friday afternoon. I sat there thinking about the junk in my trunk and the things in my life I need to let go of. It hit me like a brick, letting go of the haunts of my past so my dreams and visions can continue to move me forward each and every day. You may be sitting there with a heart that cannot trust. Perhaps you are scared to be yourself because you don’t think anyone will accept you. Maybe you hide behind extra weight because it makes you feel safe. What are you holding on to?
Here’s what I want you to do. Go and buy a simple helium balloon, it can be any color. On that balloon I want you to take a sharpie and write what you are going to let go of--today. Go outside and hold that balloon next to your heart and forgive yourself for holding on for so long and when you are ready…let it go. Watch your balloon rise into the air. Maybe it will blow so far you can’t see it, maybe it will pop…but the important thing is that now you can move on. You are no longer defined by the “junk in your trunk.”
