I like Autumn. I can't say I love it, but I'm welcoming it more readily this year than ever before. The cool crisp air feels so refreshing. I love seeing the very beginnings of the process of the changing of the leaves to stunning shades of red and gold. The mountains that surround my community are looming larger than life as if in anticipation of hiding under the blanket of soft sparkly snow that will soon cover them. In some aspects, life will soon move a little slower and the days will at first, almost imperceptibly, grow shorter, while the nights will grow colder and darker. I breathe a sigh of gratitude for relief from the intense heat of summer months now passed, and feel an almost giddy anticipation for the subtle flow of toasty air coming from the furnace, warm snuggly blankets, and mugs of smooth, velvety hot chocolate to warm me up from the inside out. Yes, Autumn and I are becoming comfortable companions.
Not too far in the distant past, Autumn used to signal for me, the need to brace for the cold, dark, never ending, miserable winter. I found it difficult to appreciate what was in front of me, because I was fighting against what was to come. But I recently came to this realization:
"Letting go" has always been difficult for me...letting go of regret, letting go of the painful past, letting go of loved ones nearing the end of life, letting go of toxic relationships, letting go of my children as they enter adulthood, letting go of shame, letting go bad habits, letting go of my worry and concern about things I can't change...But to "let go", to give up resisting and struggling, is a necessary part of our growth and change.
Letting go:
"Autumn shows us how beautiful it is to let go"
"Letting go" has always been difficult for me...letting go of regret, letting go of the painful past, letting go of loved ones nearing the end of life, letting go of toxic relationships, letting go of my children as they enter adulthood, letting go of shame, letting go bad habits, letting go of my worry and concern about things I can't change...But to "let go", to give up resisting and struggling, is a necessary part of our growth and change.
Letting go:
- Allows us to move forward instead of being paralyzed by fear, hurt, anger or uncertainty
- Allows us to discover our capabilities and embrace courage
- Expands our comfort zone
- Gives us strength to believe in what could be
- Releases us from being anchored by things that are out of our control
- Provides clarification and validation
- Allows for the healing process to begin
- Gives way to evaluation of what we want and what we deserve
- Allows space for something new
- Sets us free
- Increases self esteem
- Opens the heart to real internal peace and happiness
Is it easy to let go? Of course not. And I'd be a fool to try and convince you otherwise. It's difficult at best. Some things are harder to let go of than others. It takes time and patience and perseverance and grit and determination. Some days you might wonder if it's worth it, or think it's easier, less painful, less of a hassle to just hang on to whatever is causing the problem. There might be unpleasant consequences...because your decision to "let go" deeply affects the lives of other people, or goes against the beliefs of loved ones. Sometimes the thing or person you let go of comes back over and over again like a clueless lost little puppy. YES IT'S HARD. It's hellish hard. But, aren't you worth it? I KNOW I am.
I'm all in! Are you with me?
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