Letting Go

Why it is always easy to get hold of something yet hard to let go of it? Why the hardest part of one’s life is letting go of something or somebody that is so special and treasured? Just imagine ourselves like a little child who holds his kite securely and tightly as it sways and flies in the wide blue skies when we tighten our grip on the things we don’t want to lose. We make sure it doesn’t slip off our hands. Then when it slips off and fly away, we cry so hard like a helpless child who doesn’t want a new kite but the one he just lost. Isn’t it funny? We want to run after it. Fly if we must just to catch up with the “lost kite” in us. It’s frustrating, isn’t it? With just one loss, we end up decimated and find it hard to get back and start all over again.

Why is that so? It is simply because we don’t want to let go of whatever we are holding and whatever we are comfortable with. We don’t want to start anew and find a fresh beginning. In short, we are scared of “change” hence, resistant to it.

Indeed, letting go is a hard-hitting decision to make. It requires much thinking and strong determination to do so. It is done for a very good reason and a very healthy motive. Not selfish motives. I have tried doing so.

I have experienced letting go of a crush, a dream, an ambition or a job I loved so much. I have let go of a very special person, a toy, a plan and even a relationship. I have experienced how it is to let go of a loved one (my mother), and yes, of a friend. But I have come to an epiphany that perhaps, I only let go of these because there seemed to be no other choice. Am I right? I let go, yes, but I lamented over it, I mourned. I grieved. And perhaps, we all have every good reason why we want to keep them and never let go of them because these are beautiful things and worthy to be kept and treasured. But still we let go.

But looking on the other side of the coin, how ironic it is for us to find it harder to let go of bitterness, of anger, of our pains, of unpleasant experiences. Why do we keep them and harbor them in our hearts? Why can’t we just let go of them and free ourselves from the tormenting pain and anguish they bring in us? Why can’t we just liberate ourselves from the torturing guilt and blames?

Letting go is a choice. It is a decision to make. It is just like avoiding sweets and chocolates and pasta because we are into “no-to-carbo” diet. It is the same with deciding what course to take in college or where to go for a vacation or which car to buy. They’re all the same. It is just similar to giving your best dress to a friend or a favorite toy to a needy or giving your last peso to a beggar. But why do we exert more time on thinking about the negatives rather than the beautiful things in life? Why is it easy to love than to forgive? why is t easy to give love than to do away with hatred and resentments?

Letting go is done with unfettered will. If we really intend to live life to its fullness then we have to choose to live a life that is free from guilt and torment, free from anger and bitterness, released from all ill-feelings against something, somebody and most importantly from one's own self.

According to a Latin phrase “carpe diem”, letting go is just like seizing the day. One can never seize the day unless he lets go of what is keeping him from doing so. Accordingly, we will never be able to receive new blessings if our hands are full. Unless we open our hands and release all that we are holding, all that keep blessings away, we will never be totally blessed in abundance.

Letting go is not freedom for what you are “letting go” but it is freedom for yourself. Letting go of something means “letting go of yourself” that is, freedom from self.