Knowing When To Let Go

You, like me, may have heard that letting go is never easy. To some extent that is true. If I am letting go of something that I do not care much about, it is easy. I don’t struggle as much at those times. On the other hand when it is something or someone that I love and / or care for, it is another story.

I have had to let go of some things and / or people in the past that was extremely difficult. As a matter of fact, I don’t think I really let go of them. Physically I may have, but I would be lying if I say that I have let go of them fully from my memory or emotions. As I write in my book “Two Steps To ForGIFTness”, it is impossible to forget some things. Only a miracle from God or amnesia can make that happen. I give three reasons below why letting go is so hard. Let me know your thoughts.

How do you let go of the memory of relationships that have meant so much to you? My parents who have both died? My younger sister dying from cancer? These are just to name a few plus the other relationships that is no longer what they used to be …not enough space here for the rest, but I’m sure you get the picture.

Even though I may still have the memories, etc I don’t let them keep me from functioning. I live a full life and there are periods of time that I don’t even think about them.

How am I able to do that?

By:

• Coming to terms that these things happen in life.
• Focusing on God knowing he is in control and that he has me and my future in his hands.
• Grieving the loss and then make a decision to invest in self and other relationships and so on.

I do realize that how I did it may sound easy but it really isn’t. The question that I have to ask myself is this, “Kingsley, what are your other options?” The answer is not much. What I choose to do is what worked for me. The other option is to hold on to whatever piece I can which may appear to be a sign of strength, but its not.

“Some people believe holding on and hanging in there are signs of great strength. However, there are times when it takes much more strength to know when to let go and then do it.” ― Ann Landers

As I stated in the beginning of this blog, letting go is hard and here are the three reasons I give.

Three reasons why letting go is so hard:

1. That which you are letting go of was part of your normal
2. Change is never easy; letting go creates change
3. You will never experience life that way again; similar yes, the same no.

I leave you with this thought from C. JoyBell: “We can’t be afraid of change. You may feel very secure in the pond that you are in, but if you never venture out of it, you will never know that there is such a thing as an ocean, a sea. Holding onto something that is good for you now, may be the very reason why you don’t have something better.” 

I would love to hear your thoughts on letting go below. Take a few minutes and tell the community how you have done it or doing it. Maybe you could the three reasons I gave above. Let me hear from you.