Give Up The Old to Gain the New

Psychological problems are never solved through evasion. The anxiety of uncertainty is much worse than the disappointment of frustrated ambition. Reducing uncertainty by having the facts and perceiving reality is critical to people’s gaining a sense of control over their lives. When they see what is real, they can take steps to do something; as long as they refuse to “see,” they wait and hope that someone or fate or luck will be kind. That creates a greater sense of powerlessness.

Until people who are in despair achieve insight about the present, they create their own continuing pain because they cannot construct a future. They can’t move forward in their life because they cannot let go of the triumphs of the past. They don’t know where to go or what to do.

People who feel very bad because they are plateaued need to redefine their ambition. In practical terms, people experience a great relief when they give up the goals and illusions about themselves that structural plateauing makes unachievable. When they stop chasing what they can never catch, they are relieved of a large measure of their frustration and sense of futility and powerlessness. Then, they can stop feeling the emotions that depleted them and left them with too little energy. whey they give up the old because it no longer serves them well, they are in a much better position to imagine new objectives that are attainable.

What can you give up today that will serve your future purpose?