Just Let It Go!

TheDiscipleMD

A few years ago during a road trip with my Father and brother we visited the City of New York. As we were leaving to go to New Jersey we had to enter the Holland Tunnel. The Holland Tunnel is a highway that goes under the Hudson River connecting the island of Manhattan in New York City with Jersey City, New Jersey. The traffic was heavy. Several lanes of traffic merged into one as we entered the tunnel. My brother was driving and trying to maneuver the merge. As we neared the tunnel another vehicle seemed to lock into a “tie” with us as to who would enter next. We were driving a Honda, Civic and the other vehicle was some sort of large SUV. As the game of “chicken” neared I leaned forward from the back seat of the car and said to my brother, “He’s bigger than us and he’s badder than us! Let it go! Just let it go!” We all laughed! For the rest of the trip, “just let it go” became a popular phrase to say regarding many subjects because “letting go”, is not just a one time thing, it’s something you have to do everyday.

Each day we live presents us with a myriad of experiences, some we enjoy, others that we don’t. Sadly, too often we hold more tightly to the “bad” experiences than we do to the “good”. I don’t know why that is, since holding on to a good experience should bring us so much joy, yet, painful experiences seem to linger much longer than they should. Most often it’s because we “choose” to hold on to them, rather than “letting go”. Some might think holding on to something of that nature might make one stronger, but sometimes it is letting go that produces strength!

An unknown author once wrote, ”

“Getting over a painful experience is much like crossing monkey bars. You have to let go at some point in order to move forward.”

Other choice thoughts on “letting go” are:

“People have a hard time letting go of their suffering. Out of a fear of the unknown, they prefer suffering that is familiar”

— Thich Nhat Hanh

“Letting go doesn’t mean giving up, but rather accepting that there are things that cannot be”

— Anon

For many of us our lives have not turned out like we hve wanted, or how we pictured it to be.   While this disappointment may be hard to except, it is made all the harder when we are not willing to “let go” of this dream.  Often our dreams and reality never join hands.

Noted philosopher Joseph Campbell said it best:

“We must be willing to let go of the life we planned, so as to accept the life that is waiting for us”

We all have hopes and dreams. My wish is that they would come true for us all. Sadly, for many of us, they won’t. Unforeseen events will come into our lives, putting a detour on some of our aspirations. Tragic accidents may shatter our dreams, or heath issues may put a damper on our goals. Much of what life holds for us is out of our control. Yet, how we react isn’t! When we resolve in our minds, that no matter what comes, we will embrace the presence, let go of the past, and look to the future, our lives will improve and we will find greater joy in daily living.

The SUV entered the Holland Tunnel before we did that day, but we both arrived at the same destination on the other side. So too, all of us will travel different roads and experience a journey diverse of others. But we are headed to the same destination. Sometimes, by letting go, we are able to lighten our load, which quickens our pace. Trust in the Lord and remember to “let go” of things that hamper our spiritual growth.

 

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