In my New Year’s Blog I wrote about reviewing the previous year, and being able to let go of the past so we can have a brand new start in 2016. I received many comments on that article ranging from: “Amen to that!” “Blessed be.” “Well said!” to “Really, how?” and “Whatever happens, happens.” Some people wanted to know if love was on their horizon, or if they should stick with a personal relationship that was unfulfilling.
Most of you agreed that reviewing the past, holding onto love, and embracing what works, is a good approach to life. The problem comes in with releasing and blessing that which no longer works. I understand that letting go is easier said than done. When I am faced with a situation, a behavior or an attitude that is no longer working for me, my first reaction is often fear.
I am afraid of what life will be like without what I am holding onto. I make excuses so I can hold on just a little longer. I defend my position so I don’t have to let go. If I am speaking about the possibility of change to someone else, my conversation is peppered with a series of: “Yah buts.” Mostly it’s “Yah but you don’t understand.”
Letting go continues to be a challenge for me, and perhaps for you as well. Whether it is letting go of pain that has turned into self-pity, letting go of addictions and damaging behaviors, letting go of destructive relationships, or simply letting go of clutter and excess, I am confronted by my own resistance. No matter how much I want things to change, another part of me wants everything to stay the same.
It takes courage to let go and trust that the universe will catch me. The universe, my wonderful guides and the Great Spirit always help to make me whole again. Still, each time I am faced with letting go, I have to learn that lesson once again. However, each time I let go of something I no longer need, it gets easier to remember that I will be guided onto the right path.
The question still remains how? How do I do this? How do I let go of the people and situations that no longer work for my highest good? I usually start by making an honest assessment of the person, situation or thing that is causing me stress. If I weren’t stressed, questioning and doubting myself, there wouldn’t be a problem. I look at stress and anxiety as an indicator that change is in order. Once I’ve determined there is something or someone that is interfering with my serenity, I sit quietly and ask my guides to lead me to a solution.
I have learned that my guides love me. They only want me to be happy, genuinely happy. My guides want me to have a fulfilling life. They want me to have loving relationships. They want me to be of service and to contribute to our shared, common good. My guides, and yours, only want our highest good. They love us. They are always willing to help. All we need to do is to sit quietly, still our racing thoughts, and ask our guides to help us.
The big burdens, the ones that have weighed me down over the years, often required the help of friends, family or professionals. It is not easy to let go of secrets, abuse, addictions, guilt, shame or grief. It takes tremendous courage to make some changes. Regardless of where change takes me, it always begins with a connection to the spirits who love and guide me. It is in this spiritual link where courage replaces fear, and trust begins.