How To Let Go

Past – bygone, prior, elapsed! So, why dwell on something that is no more? Are you hanging onto the past and finding it hard to let go?

“Blame doesn’t empower you. It keeps you stuck in a place you don’t want to be because you don’t want to make the temporary, but painful decision, to be responsible for the outcome of your own life’s happiness.” – Shannon L. Alder

Undoubtedly, letting go can be difficult! Specially, when it comes to people, expectations, love, desires, unhealthy relationships, faith, beliefs, thoughts – that you have invested your time, efforts and life into! It’s a continued list, which is stuck in your head like a broken record. It is painful and for sure taxing. The reason I know this and understand the progression, is because I held onto the past for a long time. No matter how hard I tried, letting go was the hardest thing for me to do. It didn’t matter if it was people, expectations, beliefs or disappointments, the past always seemed to have power over me. The more I tried, the more I relieved the past (and the pain!)

It was only after I realized (post years of heart breaks and introspection), that it was ME who owned myself and my thoughts, that I was able to break free of the omnipresent frustration. Finally, I was the master of my own happiness and well-being. My peace of mind was in my hands! I realized that my past did not commensurate my future and all that mattered was what I did in the present moment. (It is very empowering to believe in your self-worth, knowing that you are in control of your own life.)

FACT

Every moment presents in itself an opportunity to let go of the baggage of the past with an opportunity to create a better us! It is our thoughts and acts of the moment that create our future and not our past or the people in our past. Change is the law of life and those who look only at the past are certain to miss the future! Remember, if the past is not dead, it’s not even a past!

GOOD NEWS

Coming in terms with and accepting what has happened in the past and taking responsibility of your actions helps you get the much-needed closure and move on. You cannot change the past and the people in it. It’s an unwanted stress, that should best be forgotten. Understand, that what has happened in the past is no means to define you and your future. When you focus on your learning from the situation it empowers you to let go and be free. Knowing that no matter how powerless you feel, there is always something you can do right now about your situation – helps you unfix! Switch your focus and energy into something that you can control instead of brooding over something that you have no control on.

One of the best ways to let go of the past is by changing the perception is has over you. Believing that it was a lesson learnt for a greater good, helps you forgive others and most importantly, forgive yourself! Practice meditation, learn a new skill, get a pet, travel, have a hobby, be social or write – whatever works! Letting go of your past consciously and frequently is the key to self well-being and the new learned you.

Lastly, be aware of the fact that what matters, is to live in the present. Live – NOW, for every moment is now! When you focus on here and now, you have less time to think about the past and more time to anticipate happiness and work towards it. 

“Don’t wait for everything to be perfect before you decide to enjoy your life.”
– Joyce Meyer

We all are capable of wonderful things and a great life. Would love to hear about your “let-go” stories!

Love