Let Go

One of the most important, but oftentimes challenging, things that we do in life is let go.

Of relationships.
Of expectations of ourselves and others.
Of grief and anger and resentment.

The most freeing experiences I have ever had in life is when I let go of a person or situation in my life that no longer serves me purpose. So often I have been wrestling with myself for weeks or months before making a decision that by the time my burden is lifted, I literally feel lighter. No longer are there negative thoughts that cross my mind, butterflies (not the good kind) when I am a negative situation, or that "nail on a chalkboard" sensation when I hear the person's voice.

I wonder why we don't let go more often.

I think it's because sometimes we feel like we somehow deserve it, or rather feel as though we are not deserving of the freedom of being without our burdens. Or maybe if we let go of a person in our life, that we'd hurt their feelings (nevermind all of the times that person has hurt OUR feelings). Maybe if we let go of memories of the past, that we will somehow make ourselves vulnerable to put ourselves back in those same situations to be hurt again.

Letting go does not mean that we erase our past or forget the things that happened to us. If we are faced with letting go something another person did, it doesn't mean that the other person will change their behaviors. After all, we can't control anyone else in life. We can only control our own thoughts, feelings, and behaviors.

Letting go just means that we are releasing emotional pain attached to our life experiences, and are choosing happiness instead.