Reflection #47 Learning to Let Go
In this house, all must be friends, all must be loved, all must be held dear, and all must be helped. --Teresa of Avila
As a hospice bereavement manager, a banner hung in my office. It read:
In the end, what matters most is
How well did you live
How well did you love
How well did you learn to let go.
–author unknown
It’s that last line that’s the hardest to bear. As we age we suffer more losses. It’s only natural. People, pets, places, and the unstoppable energy of youth. People come and go. Even those who were closest to us at certain junctures in our lives eventually disperse. Perhaps it seems senseless to cause ourselves deep pain by clinging to anything or anyone when everything in life moves toward separation and entropy.
As my life has progressed, I’m slowly learning to let go. Long ago I let go of my childhood and accepted adult responsibilities. I let go of raising my sons and trusted them to live life in their own ways. Leaving jobs that held meaning, I let go of my need to perform. I’ve grown wiser letting go of expecting happiness from possessions or positions. I’ve even learned, in moving from place to place, to let go of other people and not be dependent on them for my happiness.
In looking back, perhaps letting go is what will allow us to live life fully. To live with grace and wisdom, hoping that what we’ve given through the years has been in service to help make other’s lives just a little bit easier. Letting go is not the same as giving up. You are not giving up. You still have many more adventures as you learn to let go.
Now it’s your turn.
Take time to reflect and, if in a group, share as you feel able.
I am learning how to:
a)let go.
b)no longer expect happiness from possessions or positions.
c)let go of people and not be dependent on them for my happiness.
d)not give up, but live many new adventures.