“Though no one can go back and make a brand new start, anyone can start from now and make a brand new ending.”
Carl Sandburg
On a recent flight from the States back to France I became fully aware of the fact that I don”t like to fly. Suspended in mid-air 35,000 feet, pushed by strong tailwinds and pulled by gravity I became unnerved. I couldn’t sleep, though every one around me slept. I’d absentmindedly packed my mala beads in my suitcase, so I couldn’t count them. My mind told me all kinds of stories, which weren’t the least bit comforting. I knew I needed to let go of my encroaching fear one breath at a time because I still had 7 hours to go till touchdown!
I closed my eyes and asked myself, why is it so hard to let go? The answer came quickly because I’ve had this conversation with myself before. The ego is a clever demon. It’s reluctant to change its comfort zone. It has had thousands of years perfecting its ability to keep us safe with the emotion of fear. Fear makes us cling to what we know no matter how bad it makes us feel. The moment I realized I was afraid of letting go, I started letting go and my anxiety lessened. The mental space I created by letting go of what was making me feel bad, gave me the ability to let my emotions flow through me.
Much of our lives take place in our minds through imagination, reflection, speculation, interpretation and memory. We often replay old fears, past mistakes, arguments and injustices over and over again allowing feelings of shame, regret, failure, anger, bitterness, anxiety and embarrassment to shape our actions in the present. But nothing happens in this abstract realm except suffering. We suffer and cause suffering because we are stuck in the unhappy sediment of the past. We cling to our notions of what life is supposed to be like. So, how do we let go?
The essence of letting go is to release what you’re attached to, clinging to, craving, stuck with – mindfully. Mindfulness is an acquired skill. It takes practice. Practice letting go of each thought as it arises, breath by breath. Your mind will fill in the spaces in between breaths with fears of the unknown, past failures, future losses, more pain, but just come back to the beginning as many times as you need to. Trying to hold onto everything is like trying to nail jello to the wall. Everything changes. If we are truly honest with ourselves we know how we feel right now and we know what we need to let go of.
Most of us try to fill our inner feelings of emptiness with outer attachments, but only love can fill our inner emptiness. Forgive yourself. Empathize with others. Express your feelings. Make amends. Re-write your story. Be present. Letting go or being non-attached doesn’t mean abandoning our friends and loved ones or living like a monk in a cave. After all, love is the cornerstones of an enlightened life. Letting go means letting the world flow through us so we can let in our present blessings.
Great post and love the Carl Sandburg quote!
i agree a great post!
Fabulous, timely, true and thank you Sue. Love from M+D
Perfect timing Sue. Thank you. We loved being able to share time with you & we want to visit you in your new home soon. Much love…xo
I only just read a couple of quotes today (I) all that matters in the end is that you loved and (ii) don’t audit life, show up and make the most of it today.
And then I read your poignant post. Thanks Sue for reinforcing those thoughts.
Sue, not sure where OPTI1000 came from. It was my comment. Regards Peter
Sue–you must have known how much I needed reinforcing of the very things you expressed. Although we have “learned” the above, it takes continual intentional behavior to walk the walk. This came at the perfect time for me–when I haVe been focusing on many of the thoughts you expressed. The photos are absolutely beautiful–I love the filtering technique you have used which gives the red edge to some of your images. Easter is here–a new beginning–so Carl Sandburg is on the money–life is about day by day and we hope to see many more in our lives. Much love to you, Sue. You share so much with us and it is a wonderful gift..
Sue this is so true, and the darkside in the world is known as “the accuser of the breathern”….which accuses us before Our Maker day and night. That’s a trap I refuse to get myself into…. hashing over the negative memories and having that Yuck/ Stuck feeling one gets when you are self condemning etc.We all have to fight til we no longer hear that voice and become deaf to it. The Flow comes when we exercise that power. As always you have something of inspiration with wonderful photo’s for all of us. I’m sorry about your long flieght , we can’t stand flying either. If we can’t drive there, then we prefer not to travel any other way…Anyway good for you and thanks for sharing…much love from us.
Just gets better and better. I’m a real fan of “positive” magical thinking…this says it all, beautifully.
Take care,
Love, as ever,
Linda
Linda L. Alexander, Broker RSVP Real Estate PH: 206-595-9908 lindaalexander96@gmail.com
I really appreciate all of you commenting on the post, it means a great deal to me. xo