Where brutal reality and hope meet
Letting go is never easy. There is no pre-arranged time frame either.
The dynamic of letting go presents itself in all sorts of situations: moving, ending a relationship, changing jobs. It might have to do with letting go of expectations of others or plans for how it was supposed to be. And of course, letting go applies to death and dying.
Perhaps these four ideas will help, no matter what kind of letting go you need to do. I have actually processed these four moves on numerous occasions. These will challenge you. Take your time as you move through them.
- Appreciate what you had. Take a moment to relish in the joy, the good times shared, or the warmth of the dream. There was something good about this time or this person. Locate the good and be thankful.
- Be sad about the loss. You loved this person. Or, you moved here or took this job for a reason. Now, you may be angry and sad all at the same time. Articulate it. Cry, sob, cuss, and pray.
- Trust that it’s okay. This one may be tough. But, even if you don’t know how, can you find some sense of peace deep down that trusts that it’s okay? Or, at least, that it will be okay eventually?
- Release. Let them go. They are not yours to hold back anyway. Let the situation be. It happened and it changed you. Holding tightly in fear may deny the freedom you desire. As paradoxical as it may sound, let it go.
