Everything in life that truly matters requires risk, and trust. —Brené Brown
I read something recently that stopped me mid-scroll.
It was one of those simple but powerful questions floating around social media that sneaks up on you:
Do you believe the universe is good and has your back?
OR
Do you believe there’s no hand at the wheel, that chaos rules, and it’s just dumb luck when things work out?
I love a good question. Especially ones like this that invite us to examine the lens through which we see the world—and ourselves.
As I sat with the question, I realized how much it applies to something nearly all of us wrestle with: worry.
When was the last time you considered your own relationship with worry? How about its counterparts: trust, control, and letting go?
The Weight of Worry (and Why It’s Exhausting)
If you believe you’re the one fully in control, that it’s all up to you…then of course you have good reason to worry.
You’re carrying the full weight of every outcome, every detail, every scenario on your shoulders.
Whether you believe in God, the Universe, Life Force, Energy, or simply something bigger than your own small self, the core truth remains: Worry comes from the illusion of control.
And if you’re telling yourself (like I do), “I’m not a worrier. I’m just a very detailed person. I think things through, weigh the risks, analyze the potential outcomes…and then plan accordingly.”
Yep, it was a hard day when I had to admit my “detailed plans” were simply camouflaging my worry about things not turning out as I wanted.
When we cling to the belief that we are solely responsible for managing every outcome, worry becomes inevitable.
But when we release our grip and trust that there is a force—seen or unseen—working alongside us, worry loosens its hold.
When We Have No Choice but to Trust
Most of us have experienced moments where circumstances left us no choice but to trust something bigger than ourselves.
Maybe it was a serious health diagnosis…
A financial crisis with no simple solution.
A child making life-altering decisions you couldn’t control.
A relationship you couldn’t mend despite your best efforts.
In these moments, we often reach a point of surrender.
Not because we suddenly became enlightened, but because we simply run out of options.
We let go because holding on is no longer possible.
And yet, often, something beautiful happens after that release.
Support appears.
Solutions emerge.
Peace replaces panic.
The outcome might not look exactly as we imagined, but somehow, we move forward…sometimes lighter, sometimes stronger, often wiser.
My Ongoing Practice of Letting Go
In my work, especially when I sit down to write a blog post or send out an email, I feel deeply connected to the message I’m sharing.
I write because I believe someone, somewhere, might need the words flowing through me today…and yes, sometimes that someone is simply me.
But after I hit “send” or “publish,” I have to practice letting go.
I can’t control who reads it.
I can’t control whether it sparks a shift in someone’s thinking.
I can’t control how far the ripples extend.
To release my worry and doubts, I remind myself,
If even one person experiences a tiny shift—a new thought, a small change in behavior—then I’ve done what I set out to do.
Occasionally, someone reaches out to say, “Your words helped me take that first step.” And I treasure those moments.
But most of the time, I will never know.
I have to trust that the ripples are there, even if I can’t see them.
That, my friend, is the beauty of our lives:
The ripples we create are seldom seen.
But when we release our focus from where the stone lands, and instead trust the ripples will appear, we open ourselves to peace.
The Freedom Found in Trusting the Stone
💚Trust lies at the heart of this.
- Trusting that your efforts matter, even if you don’t see immediate results.
- Trusting that healing, progress, and growth happen in layers and seasons.
- Trusting that you are not required to carry the entire burden of the outcome.
This doesn’t mean we sit back and do nothing.
Life still requires action, discipline, and courage.
But we act without attaching our sense of safety or worth to the outcome.
We toss the stone.
We trust the ripples.
🌱 The Practice: Release Your Stone
If any part of this resonates with you, try this practice to release your stone:
💬 Name the Stone
Think of one thing you’re currently worrying about or feeling the need to control. Write it down.
✅ Take Action
Ask yourself: What is one small action I can take right now that aligns with my values or goals?
Do it. That’s your stone tossed.
BONUS: Find a pond or stream nearby and actually toss a small stone into the water. Imagine that is your stone and witness its ripples.
🧘🏻♀️ Release the Ripples
Take a deep breath.
Imagine the ripples moving outward.
Remind yourself: I do not need to control where or how this unfolds. My job was to act. The rest belongs to life.
✨ Trust There Are More Stones
Tomorrow, or next week, or 90 days from now…another stone will present itself.
Another action,
Another opportunity,
Another moment to take part in the unfolding of your life.
What If You Tried This for the Next 90 Days?
What if, for the next three months, you practiced tossing one small stone each week?
What if you took ONE action aligned with what matters most to you, and then released your attachment to the outcome?
Imagine the cumulative ripples that could unfold.
Ripples not only in your life but in the lives of those around you.
And if you ever wonder whether it’s working, lean into trust, and remember:
The ripples are seldom seen, but they are always there.
The Strongest Ripples
- Worry thrives when we believe we’re in total control…accept you are not and lose the weight of worry.
- Peace grows when we trust that life’s energy is partnering with us.
- Our role is to toss the stone, take aligned action, and trust the ripples.
What “stone” are you ready to release today?
Hit reply and share it with me—I love hearing your reflections.
And if you found today’s message helpful, share it with someone else who might need this reminder too.
You never know where the ripples will land.
