“You Cannot Receive Anything If Your Hands Are Full”

This essay originally appeared in the Monday morning newsletter on 12/16/19.

I abide by a simple rule. If I hear of something three times, I take it as a sign to lean in. This rule can be applied to books, restaurants, famous people, etc. If the universe is bringing a thing, an idea or a person to my awareness three times, I believe it means I need to read the book, try the restaurant, research the person, etc.

So, when I heard a specific quote three separate times last week, I knew I had to mention it in today’s newsletter. Beyond inspiring my own reflection, my hope is that I heard the quote three times last week because it is exactly what one of you needs to hear today.

Last week I heard that Oprah once said, you cannot receive anything if your hands are full.

“You cannot receive anything if your hands are full.”

I love this quote for two reasons. 

The first is because it helps me make peace with the current changes I am facing. 

I am someone who naturally resists change. My resistance stems from a place of absolutely loathing endings. 

I can remember being extremely sad on the last day of school in elementary school (yes, seriously). To me, the last day of school was sad because it meant that school year was over, I would never have that teacher again or be a (insert grade here) student again. I am someone who loves Christmas Eve more than Christmas Day. I love the anticipation that comes along with the Dec. 24 instead of the sad feelings that creep in the evening of the 25th when the realization hits that Christmas is over. 

I try to reframe my thinking and recognize that “every ending is a new beginning.” And that should make me feel better, right? Especially for someone who loves a fresh start (hello, Monday morning newsletter aimed at kicking off a new week). 

But Oprah’s quote resonates with me more for some reason. It’s reassuring to know that sometimes circumstances in our lives change, and while we may be sad about the changes, they are making room for something else. 

The second reason I love this quote is because it reduces the fear I have toward future changes. I really do love my life. But do I see my life staying exactly the same for the rest of time? Of course not. I am going to continue to grow and evolve, my relationships will continue to grow and evolve and so on. If I don’t accept that I will need to let go of some things from time to time to make room for something else, that growth and evolution can’t happen. I can’t receive anything if my hands are full. 

So whether you are going through some changes right now or have a fear of  future changes, I hope you find comfort in this quote like I did. We often can’t fully understand why changes are happening in real time, but we can cling to the belief that the changes are making room for something greater.