It takes a fair amount of strength and courage to walk away from something, even when it no longer works for you. You may find all sorts of reasons to stay enmeshed – the job suddenly offers you more money, the partner finally commits to seeing a therapist – and, sure, there may still be things to learn, there always are. But once the red flags are clear they usually don’t disappear. You either learn to ignore them or you consent to their presence and spend a lot of energy dancing around them.
Without fully realizing it, you may be afraid to walk away: from the illusion of certainty, a steady paycheck or the prospect of companionship. But in order for the next plane to land, you must first clear the runway. This means recognizing the presence of fear and going for it anyway, because not doing that means you’ll always wonder what could have been. Making adequate room for what you really want starts with clearing away what you don’t want, what no longer serves you. Even if what no longer serves you is the familiar voice of a well-intentioned but fearful parent.
Embodying beginner’s mind means that you start to get curious, and in your curiosity you start to ask questions about perspective and possibility. It means that you don’t settle because you know in your gut that the universe is abundant, and that great things are available to you even in this very moment. It lets you dream big and play with the unfolding energy of all that is. Beginner’s mind is about engaging with all senses and fusing your own light with the light of the divine. It is at the heart of all desire, and it is what moves every living creature to action – innocently, hungrily.