Life's Journey and Letting Go

This journey we call life is not an easy one. It is filled with ups and downs, highs and lows and everything in between. The universe cares not if we are strong or weak, or rich or poor. We are human, we all feel the range of emotions that make up life.  While we do have a choice in how we choose to manage those emotions, they usually take us by surprise and we just react, it's our nature. Not many of us are always fully present enough and in control to guide our actions and our thoughts and consciously make the choice to laugh or grieve, fight or take flight.  I write about this struggle because as of late, I haven't chosen well.

When it comes to letting go or healing, we all process differently and the reasons vary. Whether we are afraid of moving on or we fear that guilt will play a role or maybe it's our own selfishness or love that we don't want to give up.  Maybe we think that if they are no longer actively in our thoughts the memories associated with that special person will fade and eventually disappear. Regardless, it seems to be a constant battle to accept change and to let go.

Letting go is never an easy thing to do, whether it's a loved one, a relationship, a personal treasure, or even a habit.  It's indescribable, the pain one feels when you come to the conclusion that you need to let go, truly let go, especially when it's someone you love. Treasures are material things (it's the feelings tied to the object that brings the challenge) and habits are just difficult to change, but the emotions tied to people and our experiences bring the art of letting go to a whole other level.

It's those moments, whether they be special events or a barrage of memories triggered by something random that come tumbling back to you , usually when you least expect it, that bring you great joy or extreme sadness.  It's those defining moments that cause us to truly experience life at its fullest, regardless of which way the pendulum swings.

We can certainly take a step back and remember that people come in and out of our lives at different times, for different reasons, for different durations, it still doesn’t make the path of change any easier, especially for those that cross our path and change our whole direction.  And once we create that bond, it takes courage to finally let go what is hurting your heart and your soul by grieving when they are no longer a part of the same journey.

I know that our emotions, our mistakes, our triumphs, make us who we are. I know we learn and grow with each mistake, each action, each choice, whether good or bad. It just doesn't make it any easier to accept it, especially when you are swirling in the midst of it, like a tornado and wondering when the winds die down if there will be total destruction and how much effort it will take to rebuild. 

Many people have said that you shouldn’t have to fight for a spot in someone’s life and there are many sayings about how the dark brings out the brightest stars and the general principle of without the rain things wouldn’t grow, we still need to survive the dark and the rain in order to see the beauty that still surrounds us.

Pain and sorrow is part of life. Sometimes it's a big part and sometimes it isn't. But it comes in measures, maybe not the timing and rhythm we would choose to create a beautiful symphony, but it’s part of the music and whether we like it or not, pain teaches us.  It tells us we are alive and it changes us. When it passes it usually leaves us wiser and sometimes it leaves us stronger. Regardless of what it teaches us, it certainly leaves its mark. I wish it was easier to accept that everything important in our lives most likely involves pain to some degree or another.

In the end, I suppose the whole of life is letting go, but what hurts the most is when you don't have to opportunity or don't take a moment to say goodbye. So when you move, say goodbye to your home, your friends, and your favorite spots. When you lose someone, share a treasured memory or what you loved about them. When cleaning out the clutter, say goodbye to the things you no longer need. When letting go of emotions, whether they be love or it's opposite, say goodbye as they no longer serve a purpose in that chapter.  

Letting go of all expectations can bring peace. Accepting what is. Embrace what waits. Be you and be okay with it.  Even the darkest night will end and the sun will rise. So smile, laugh, forgive, believe, and hope.