When you struggle with things in life you are
often told to "Hold on."
I can see images of a cat clinging to something
or the old proverbial knot at the end of a rope.
"Holding on" seems like the logical thing to do.
Sometimes it just isn't possible. Sometimes
it's just wrong.
Sometimes we need to let go.
I can't hold on any more. I need desperately
to let go. I need to distance myself from things
in the present and in particular things of the past.
That's probably the worst part, the toughest part.
Letting go of things of the present is easier. They
are happening now. You can influence, control the
outcome. You can wake up today and say, "I'm
going to stop smoking!" and actually begin.
You can stand in front of a mirror and see things
that can be changed today. Your weight, the way
you dress, your hairstyle and your attitude.
But letting go of the past...that's a challenge.
I carry with me way too many things of the past.
I flash back in seconds to a memory I apparently
can't let go of. At the same time it's a memory
I can't do a thing about. It's done. It's over. I
can't change it.
A pretty greeting card with the kitten clinging to
the side of a chair telling me to hold on, means
nothing to me.
I need to let go.
Perhaps you find yourself spending time thinking
about the way things were. Maybe you are longing
for the "good old days."
You're holding onto pleasant memories, moments
that made you who you are today. That's fine. It's
a part of the fabric of you.
Maybe you are holding on to things of the past that
are not so pleasant. Things you did, said, had done
to you and it is stealing away the precious time you
have now. You are holding onto destructive things
that you should let go of.
You are not just holding on, you are holding yourself back.
The kitten clinging to the couch would land on its feet.
Letting go of the rope would free your hands making them
available to embrace someone, something more
important. The fall won't kill you. It will heal you.
Take time today to make a list. Using a single sheet
of paper draw a line straight down the middle. On top
write "Hold onto" over one column and "Let go of" on
top of the other column.
Then begin writing down all the things of your life that
need to be dealt with. Use a pencil. Ink is too
permanent. Life is written in pencil so that we can change
our plans, rid ourselves of things we need not be concerned
with.
Look at that list and make changes to it. Re-examine the list
everyday until you feel comfortable with your choices.
Things of the past should all be on the side marked
"Let go of."
Things of the present should be held onto unless they are
out of your control and you have no influence over them.
If you cannot change or influence it, then it is simply not
worth worrying about. Let go.
Post this list somewhere that you will see it daily and as
you go along add to, take away things as you see fit.
The only real thing you should hold onto is your faith and
the love you give and the love you get.
"And in the end the love you take is equal to the love you make."
The Beatles
1 Thessalonians 5:21 "Test everything. Hold on to the good."
"Don't cry because it's over. Smile because it happened."
- Dr. Seuss
"Hanging onto resentment is letting someone you despise
live rent-free in your head."
~Ann Landers~
"Breathe. Let go. And remind yourself that this very moment
is the only one you know you have for sure."
~Oprah Winfrey~
"Ask yourself this question:
"Will this matter a year from now?"
~Richard Carlson Ph.D~
"Let go. Why do you cling to pain? There is nothing you can do
about the wrongs of yesterday. It is not yours to judge. Why
hold on to the very thing which keeps you from hope and love?"
~Leo Buscaglia~
I'm letting go!
"I wish you enough!"
J
~ Bob Perks ~
Good news - Bob Perks' first book, "I Wish You Enough," Embracing Life's Most Valuable Moments... is now available for ordering. Here's the "Link"
to get your copy of Bob's book:
I Wish You Enough from Amazon.com.
