The Secret to 'Let Them': Exploring the Power of Acceptance and Moving Forward

Who doesn't love Mel Robbins? I consider myself a card-carrying fan! Her book, "Let Them," truly hits the nail on the head, providing insights that resonate deeply with anyone looking to improve their life. However, let’s be real for a moment—putting her principles into practice requires more courage than navigating through a Halloween haunted house filled with jump scares and creepy surprises. I mean, in my early 30s, I wouldn't have had the courage to even attempt it. Honestly, age is just a number; what really complicates our ability to "Let Them" is the heavy baggage we all carry and the mindset we adopt. It’s as if Rational Emotive Behavior Therapy (REBT) crashed the party, emphasizing the importance of taming those wild thoughts, emotions, and behaviors (TEBs) that often run amok in our minds. Sure, we can only control our own mental circus, but sometimes it's just easier to allow our stinkin thinkin’ thoughts to host a pity party, complete with balloons and cake. Seriously though, YOU are the CEO of your own life! Even when someone cuts you off in traffic and it feels like they’ve declared war on your very existence, you have a choice: you can either tailgate them like you're auditioning for the next installment of Fast & Furious, or you can chuckle and think, "Wow, they really need a bathroom break!" It’s all about practice, folks. So, why practice healthy thoughts, emotions, and behaviors? Why not? Life is far too short to wade through a swamp of resentment and loneliness. I’ve been there myself, feeling like a lone wolf with a decent job but still grappling with the nagging thought that I was somehow a loser. The classic internal dialogue of “I’m so stupid for saying that” began to permeate my thoughts, making me feel, well, stupid. Thankfully, I was in the business of helping people, which inspired me to start working on my TEBs—Thoughts, Emotions, and Behaviors. A heartfelt shoutout to Louise Hay and Dr. Wayne Dyer (Rest In Power) for their inspirational work that has touched so many lives. Even during times when I felt like a hot mess, I decided to challenge and swap out that irrational thought. I knew deep down that I wasn’t stupid—after all, I graduated high school, moved out of state for college, and successfully earned both a Bachelor's and a Master's degree. So, I embarked on a quest with Merriam-Webster and landed on the word "silly" instead of "stupid." The term "silly" just resonated differently because, hey, we’re all human, and we all make mistakes from time to time. Hearing "silly" instead of "stupid" made me giggle like a child in a candy store, filled with joy and lightness. Challenge accepted! Every day, when my brain threw out the dreaded "stupid," I consciously swapped it with "silly." Whether I was repeating it in my head or saying it out loud, I was all in. It was tough at first; no, I didn’t magically transform into a rock star overnight, but after about six months of this mental gymnastics routine, "stupid" became barely a blip on my radar. I share this story because it works! No matter your age, change is possible. Sure, it’s no walk in the park, but YOU can DO hard THINGS! If it truly matters to you, you’ll find a way to make it happen. I’ve worked with adults on probation, and I’ve had the privilege of witnessing the profound transformation that can unfold when individuals commit to change. Growth is change, and change takes growth. It’s a journey, one filled with ups and downs, but the rewards are immeasurable. So, let’s embrace the challenge and cultivate a mindset that allows us to thrive, one silly thought at a time!