Sometimes the hard part is knowing when to stop and let go

Sometimes, the challenge lies in recognizing when to cease and release, entrusting it to the universe for guidance.

We all notice aspects of ourselves, our relationships, and our world that we wish to change. Often, this desire prompts us to pursue inner work or strive for some external goal. At times, without any grand announcement or significant shift, we suddenly realize that change has occurred, seemingly without our intervention. This can feel miraculous, as we suddenly observe that our self-esteem is indeed intact, or our partner is genuinely contributing more around the house. We might even question whether our efforts played a role, or if it simply happened through grace.

As humans, we often have relatively short attention spans and can easily lose track of time. We might focus on a seedling in a pot, watering it consistently for several weeks, only to suddenly find ourselves admiring its blooms and wondering when that happened without us noticing. Nature, however, possesses infinite patience and remains with something throughout its entire life. This doesn’t mean our efforts are insignificant in the miracle of change — they are indeed important. They are simply one small part of the overall process that eventually leads to a plant blooming, a relationship evolving, or our hearts softening.

The laws that dictate plant growth also regulate our personal and external transformations. We watch, reflect, labor, and marvel, cultivating our life's soil, sowing seeds, and nurturing them. Often, the challenge lies in knowing when to pause and release control, entrusting it to the universe. This typically occurs through distraction or interruption, as our focus shifts to more urgent matters. It is frequently during these moments, when our attention is elsewhere, in the quiet of nature's hold, that the miracle of change unfolds.