The Art of Letting Go

There’s no better time than today to release whatever is holding us back in our lives. Maybe it’s a person, a relationship (past or present), a grudge, our fears, or even our expectations. Whatever it is, it’s time to let go and let God.

Harboring feelings of anger or resentment toward someone harms us more than it does them. It steals our happiness and gives them too much power over our lives. Granting forgiveness doesn’t justify what the person did or mean you’ll be able to trust them again. In fact, it’s not even about them. It’s about being strong enough to set ourselves free.

We may also stay in an unhappy situation, whether it’s a relationship or job, just because it’s comfortable. We’d rather have guaranteed mediocrity than take the risk of never getting what our heart truly desires. Why do we hold on so tightly to the things that no longer make us happy? The changes we resist are often the ones our souls need the most. Our lives are meant to evolve, but clinging to the things we should let go of only blocks us from our blessings.

[ctt template=”4″ link=”A3mr0″ via=”no” ]“It takes a lot more courage to let something go than it does to hang on to it, trying to make it better. Letting go doesn’t mean ignoring a situation, letting go means accepting what is, exactly as it is, without fear, resistance, or a struggle for control. ~Iyanla Vanzant[/ctt]

I’ve spent too many years worrying, overanalyzing, and putting unnecessary pressure on myself, all because my reality wasn’t meeting my expectations. I thought I’d have it all figured out by now. I stayed in unhappy situations because I let fear consume my life—fear of change, of being alone, of the unknown, and of what others would think. Well, fear is a liar and I’ve decided to no longer let it dictate my future.

Things play out in our lives the way they are meant to, regardless of how much we fight to control them. In hindsight, I’m glad I didn’t have the power to control everything. With every disappointment, closed door, or unanswered prayer, God was saving me from what I thought I wanted…He knew better.  

God’s plans for our lives are much greater than the ones we have for ourselves. He sees the big picture. All the hurt and pain we go through is guiding us to what’s meant to be. It may be a long and painful road with some twists and turns, but we need to surrender and trust that he’ll lead us in the right direction. 

Contrary to what the dictionary says, I believe happiness is a verb, not a noun. It’s a conscious choice we make to keep peace within our hearts despite our circumstances. It’s typically thought of as something we need to achieve, instead of just simply choosing joy. We sometimes put conditions on our happiness and live in a state of “if” or “when.” For example, we may say, “I’ll be happy if I get a new job,” or “I’ll be happy when I finish my degree.” We need to stop postponing our happiness and have the courage to let go of whatever is robbing us of it.

What are you struggling to let go of?