“Don’t fight a battle if you don’t gain anything by winning.”

– General George S. Patton

Sometimes the greatest gift I can give myself is to walk away. Until very recently, I was unaware that this option was even available to me. The only option I thought I had was to stay. To argue my point. To fix the thinking of others. In short, to be “right”. Now I can see, in hindsight, that so many times I was in a “lose-lose” situation. Even if I could prove my point, what would I really have gained? Certainly I’ve learned that I cannot change others or their thinking. Most situations turned out just as they would have if I had not argued my stance, if I had accepted reality rather than fighting it.

Today I can recognize when I’m in a situation that is simply not a fit for me. Instead of arguing and explaining and trying to make it a fit, I can give myself the gift of walking away. I can live and let live, recognizing that I no longer have to fight battles in which I will gain nothing of value, even by winning.

Prayer: God thank you for teaching me to recognize situations and relationships that are not a fit for me. Thank you for showing me how to graciously walk away, letting others be who they are and allowing you to work things out in your way and time. Thank you that when I humble myself, let go and simply follow you, I find that where you lead me is always good and life giving.

~Heidi