Hi Reader

When I sit in a bomb shelter, waiting for sirens to end, I have a lot of time to think. Some thoughts are practical. Some are dark. And some, like the one I want to share today, keep looping back, quietly teaching me something I didn't expect.

And the thought that keeps coming back to me is about the power of letting go.

The false sense of control

Most of us (myself included) walk around convinced we're in control of everything — our business, our careers, our kids, our routines. We cling to outcomes, micromanage the details, and believe that with enough effort, we can force things to bend our way.

But sitting in a shelter, hearing the sounds, I'm reminded: control is mostly an illusion.

What you can control is how you respond. And more often than not, that starts with releasing your grip.

Taijiquan taught me this before the bombs did

For the last few months, I've practiced Taijiquan — both as a physical activity and as an internal discipline. Every movement combines deliberate action with intentional release.

You engage. You let go.

You push. You relax.

You act. You yield.

In every form, there's as much power in the letting go as in the action itself. That's not philosophy — it's physics. Tension burns energy. Release generates flow.

And the more I practiced it on the mat, the more I realized how rarely I applied it in life.

Business. Parenting. Moving countries.

This isn't just about martial arts. It's about business decisions where I've clung to projects too long. About parenting, where I've tried to control outcomes instead of guiding with patience. About relocating my family to a new country and feeling the constant pull to have everything "figured out."

And every time, I find myself returning to this core principle:

Action, followed by release, creates sustainable strength.

📌Where we get it wrong

The culture we swim in doesn't reward letting go. It celebrates constant hustle. Relentless optimization. The grind.

The narrative sounds like:

"Keep pushing."
"Never quit."
"Control everything you can."

But sometimes, no amount of pushing changes the outcome. And trying to control everything only leads to burnout and frustration.

The truth is: you're not failing when you let go.

You're failing when you grip too tightly for too long.

📌What to do instead

Here's how I've been trying to apply this — both in crisis and in normal life:

1. Intentional action:

Take clear, deliberate steps when action is needed.

2. Conscious release:

Once the action is complete, release your mental grip.

3. Trust the process:

Understand that outcomes often emerge from compounding efforts.

4. Prepare for flexibility:

The tighter you plan, the less adaptable you become. Leave some space for adjustment.

Whether it's waiting out sirens, building a business, or raising kids — this balance of action and release keeps me grounded.

📌What to remember

Sometimes you let go because you choose to.

Sometimes you let go because you have no choice.

Either way, letting go is often where real power shows up.

So as you read this, I invite you to ask yourself:

Where are you gripping too tightly right now?

And what might change if you practiced letting go?

That's what I'm working on. Daily. In business. In parenting. In life.

And that's all for today.

See you next Thursday.

P.S. If learning to pursue your goals, letting go, or any other skill resonates with you — consider checking out The Meaning Makers community and get community support for your daily practice. Join here.