Detach, Try Hard, and Enjoy the Game

For years, I believed that not trying hard wouldn’t get me anywhere—but at the same time, trying too hard drained me. Especially as a small business owner, I pushed myself beyond my limits, working tirelessly to keep my shop running. But in my pursuit, I held on too tightly—grasping, controlling, and overusing my body. It worked for a while, but eventually, exhaustion set in.

Then, I turned to the other extreme. Seeking peace, I turned inward—yoga, meditation, deep surrender. I let go of my attachment to the grind, and for the first time in years, I felt a profound sense of calm and lightness. But then, something unexpected happened. My motivation faded. My productivity dwindled. My time spent on my business shrank. I had escaped the grasping, but now I was lost in detachment.

I didn’t want to go back to my old ways, but I also couldn’t stay where I was. I felt stuck, confused, unsure of how to bridge the gap between inner peace and external progress. So, I turned to my higher self and asked: How do I detach from the illusions of life while still working hard? How do I play the game without losing myself in it?

The answer came:

"It’s like a game. You’re at a level, and eventually, there’s a boss. If you don’t fight, you stay stuck. But the key is to fight with your full strength while knowing it’s a game. You’re here to push through, not out of desperation, but for the joy of the challenge. Put all your effort into making the game fun, instead of knowing the game but not playing hard."

The answer lies in balance. Work hard, but don’t lose yourself in the work. Give it your all, but remember that it’s a game meant to be played, not suffered through.

When I show up for my business, maybe do it with a different energy, Not blindly striving, nor passively surrendering, but be engaged and playing. I don’t have to choose between grasping and detaching. I can work hard, but with lightness. Push through, but with playfulness. Engage fully, not for survival, but for the experience itself.