There are few experiences in life that are as unsettling as endings. Depending on the kind of situation that is coming to an end, it can be messy and painful, or even downright terrifying.
The one good thing about endings is that they are always followed by new beginnings, and your own attitude and expectation often determine what happens next.
If you focus only on the loss, then of course you will feel sad and empty, or perhaps angry or afraid. But if you instead choose to see the ending as a precursor to a bright new beginning and an opportunity to receive something even better, you will have an easier time letting go.
More importantly, if you choose to see the ending itself as a necessary part of the process of receiving something that you want, you will effortlessly surrender to the universe’s wisdom and empower yourself to move through the changes with grace and ease.
Obviously, some endings are more painful than others, such as the loss of an important relationship in your life. In cases like this, you may need to first give yourself time to grieve and come to terms with the loss before you will be ready to look ahead with any sense of optimism or hopefulness. But once you have come to a place of acceptance about the loss, then you will be ready to begin the work of choosing what comes next.
The first step is to get clear about the situation or condition that has just ended. Was it really serving your highest good? Were you truly happy with it, or had you just grown comfortable with the way things were? Most often, reviewing the situation objectively can help you to see that a deeper part of you was probably yearning for something more, whether it’s more excitement, passion, or meaning in that area of your life. On some level, part of you was probably ready to let go of the old, even if it hurt a little to do so.
Next, think about the type of condition or situation that would serve you better than the one that just ended. If you could flip through a catalog and choose something new to take the place of what was lost, what would it be? Perhaps it is changing career paths. Write down a detailed description of this exciting new addition to your life. What will it look like and feel like? Why will it be a good fit for you? Allow yourself to get excited about the possibilities.
Finally, start spending a little time each day expressing your positive expectation for this wonderful new beginning in your life. Speak of it as if it is inevitably going to happen. Anticipate that it’s going to show up at the right time, and in the best way possible. Expect that it’s going to be easy, smooth, and fun the whole way through. Train your mind to be open to everything and attached to nothing.
With this kind of trusting attitude, you immediately open up to the endless wonderful possibilities that could not have happened if you had continued clinging to the comfortable and familiar. Eventually you will find that you no longer fear endings, but rather see them as a welcome signal that something better is on the way to you.
