I talk frequently about letting go. It seems to me to be one of our primary tasks as we age. By the time we reach midlife, we have experiences, grievances, hurts, habits and negative behaviors—just to name a few things—that we can well afford to shed. Not only can we afford to shed them, we will be far healthier and better off letting them go.
When Nelson Mandela was released from prison after 27 years, he spoke of the importance of forgiveness and letting go. "As I walked out the door toward the gate that would lead to my freedom," he said, "I knew if I didn't leave my bitterness and hatred behind, I'd still be in prison."
What a powerful image. And isn't it true? When we hang onto old hurts, old tapes, and other negative experiences, we are imprisoned by them. Those things can hold us captive. And when we let go, how much lighter and freer we feel.
From what would you like to be free today? And what steps are you willing to take to let go and move toward freedom?
No comments:
Post a Comment