Letting Go

What exactly does it mean to let go?

Granted, I can't really stand the term, after hearing the song "Let It Go" being sung time after time by my four daughters! Yet, I find that it is a message that often must be given time and again for my clients.

Let go of expectations.

Let go of old relationship patterns.

Let go of the toxic memories that are affecting your present-day blessings.

Much of the reason for the confusion around letting go, has to do with the misinterpretation of the term. Most of the time, letting go is confused with forgetting. It's as if letting go of something means that it should be entirely obliterated from my mind...no memories, no pain, nothing.
Yet the truth is far from this "blank mind" approach. Letting go means that I choose to not be sucked-in to the story and emotional energy that swirls around it, like a seductive and deadly vortex. If I let go of a past relationship, it doesn't mean that I've forgotten (or tried to forget - good luck!) about the relationship. Memories will still surface, and emotions may still well-up for years to come.

I choose instead to recognize these memories and emotions for what they truly are: memories and past imprints. They do not need to define who I am right now in this moment. I can choose differently. I can choose to live a new life, an entirely different life of my choosing. Yes, the memories or emotions will surface from time to time, but I will simply notice them and move forward, without being sucked into their vortex.

You see, when we get sucked into the vortex, we find out...there's nothing there. It's just an unending tunnel of memories and emotions that dig deeper and deeper into a well of anger and resentment. It's not freedom; it's prison.

So when I recognize that (a) I'm tempted to go into that vortex, or (b) I've been sucked into the vortex, I can stop, recognize it as the Nothing that it is, and let it go.

Recognize.

Let go.

Recognize.

Let go.

The power of letting go means that I choose freedom. It means that I choose to be a powerful, wonderful, fully-alive Self, rather than a slave of the past.

Is it easy?

No, it takes practice.

And it is in the doing that we get better and better at letting go. At releasing what had once bound us. At embracing the freedom that once eluded us. At becoming who we truly are: a fully magnificent, alive and empowered Self.

That is the power of letting go.