Buddhist monk and peace activist Thich Nhat Hanh said, “People have a hard time letting go of their suffering.  Out of a fear of the unknown, they prefer suffering that is familiar.”

This is so powerful.  To me it means that although we may be unhappy and struggling where we are, it is easier to face the known than the unknown.  We don’t want to take a chance that the suffering might be worse if we make a change.

Then one day we take a chance and make the leap.  We decide to go where we haven’t gone before.

As writer Anais Nin once said, “And the day came when the risk to remain tight in a bud was more painful than the risk it took to blossom.”

And although there will still be suffering, the new challenge leads to growth and joy.  Which is the reason we are here… to learn something new, expand our thoughts, discover our gift and then share it with the world.

Suffering that is familiar can be an inexplicable comfort.  But letting go of it can open the door to a new life full of bliss.  What can we let go of today?