Letting Go

Letting Go
We use the phrase letting go all the time. We use it loosely, in passing, as though it is something we can just snap our fingers and do – instantly. But I have found it’s not that easy.

For the past week, I decided to follow the suggestion of a friend to create a letting go box. Every time I noticed that I was clinging to some thought or negative feeling, I would jot it down on a piece of paper and slip it into the box. As the week progressed, the small box was full!

It was amazing for me to notice all the little things I hang on to — a remark from a friend that bothered me, a tone of voice from my husband that hurt my feelings, a demand from someone at work that irritated me, and so on. I noticed ways I criticized myself, and so many ways I felt frustrated all the time. This was an excellent lesson for me, and still is. I’ve decided to keep the box going for a month — of course, I now need a bigger box!

I would like to suggest to you to try this exercise. I am hoping that as I let go of the smaller things, I will pave the way to surrendering the larger things in me life, and find more inner peace.

Here’s what to do:

• Find a box to use — a shoebox, stationary box, any box
• Throughout the day notice when you are not letting go of something — a thought, feeling, disappointment, frustration, etc., and jot it down on a piece of paper
• Slip the paper in the box
• When the thought, feeling, or image returns, remind yourself that you put it away
• Don’t re-read what’s in the box — move on!
• Take time to feel the benefits of the new opening and space you will start to feel from this practice.

Let me know how it goes. I’ll keep you posted with how I’m doing.