Daily Question, June 29 What have I been holding on to for a long time? How would it feel to let go? 47 Reflections Share Click here to cancel reply.Please log in or Create a Profile to post a comment. Notify me when someone replies to my comment via e-mail. Debbie D7 years agoDebbie DIf I let go of guilt, I’d feel an enormous sense of relief. 0 Reply Palm7 years agoPalmThe thought that things won’t work out the way I want them to, because of course they will not always do! This has to do with many of the things already mentioned in previous reflections (thank you): past regrets, control, self critiism, perfectionism, shame…. Letting it go and thinking the opposite, that all shall be well eventhough things don’t work out the way I want, would feel liberating and perhaps, paradoxically, I will have Faith 4 Reply Gargi7 years agoGargiI have been holding on to many things wanting to let it go. The most important one is aversion to pain. I read somewhere we are hard wired for pleasure. I do not think so, if we are aversed to something we breed dislike but love being healing I wish I could look at my pain with kindness. Theoretically I know it so well yet experiencially I am unable to let it go. Letting it go I intitutively know the feeling of freedom and release and space of peace. 4 Reply Ed Schulte7 years agoEd SchulteWhat have I been holding on to for a long time? How would it feel to let go? The part of my temporary present-day personality which, for some strange reason :-) I am "holding on to" while it is "holding on to" me. At first ( some time ago now) it seemed it was a strange coupling which ( to address the second part of this question but not as "how would" but rather "how does it feel") But now, as I dive deeper and deeper into my Being-ness through Observation, Contemplation and Meditati... What have I been holding on to for a long time? How would it feel to let go? The part of my temporary present-day personality which, for some strange reason 🙂 I am “holding on to” while it is “holding on to” me. At first ( some time ago now) it seemed it was a strange coupling which ( to address the second part of this question but not as “how would” but rather “how does it feel”) But now, as I dive deeper and deeper into my Being-ness through Observation, Contemplation and Meditation, it has become less and less a “holding on to” in the sense of a “Holding back” energy, and instead, THERE IS THE OPPOSITE EFFECT…..it has become a “Holding forward” energy. ( meaning it has become supportive, co-operative, wise participant, a supportive servant) in my efforts to know Truth ( “HU” say the Sufi say it ) That was a Fun Question moderator! Read More2 Reply Antoinette7 years agoAntoinetteToday we had to let Iffy go. He passed today and my three boys and I have been crying for hours. I love you Iffy. Thank you for all the joy and love you have us. ❤️???? 3 Reply Gargi7 years agoGargiAntoinette, loss of words for your boys and you. All my love. 1 Reply Antoinette7 years agoAntoinetteThank you. ❤️ 0 Reply Deb7 years agoDebSo sorry for your loss! Pets are so wonderful and it sounds like not only did you give him a good life but also a good death, which I believe is really important. John Edward says we will see our pets again in the next life. I hope so. 1 Reply Mary7 years agoMaryI am so very sorry Antoinette. You are doing the right thing. Releasing the tears helps to release the pain. I am holding you, your dear boys, and Iffy in my heart Mary ❤️???????????????? 1 Reply Mary7 years agoMaryI can think of many things, but I think self criticism and harshness with myself are the biggest things I would like to free myself from especially if replaced by self compassion. The self criticism doesn’t help me. It just makes me feel worse. I have been taking a course online on self compassion given by Kristin Neff along with Brenee’ Brown and it has been helping me. It is in the big purple square on the self-compassion.org website. I would recommend it. Whenever I am kind to myself... I can think of many things, but I think self criticism and harshness with myself are the biggest things I would like to free myself from especially if replaced by self compassion. The self criticism doesn’t help me. It just makes me feel worse. I have been taking a course online on self compassion given by Kristin Neff along with Brenee’ Brown and it has been helping me. It is in the big purple square on the self-compassion.org website. I would recommend it. Whenever I am kind to myself I feel so much better. My self critic is like this harsh scolding person I bring along wherever I go. She makes difficult things so much harder, and she has never said anything kind or even neutral to me in my life. So why didn’t I drop her a long time ago. Well of course it is because she is part of me and she is actually trying to help me. ( Bad job inner critic! You have not helped at all! Forget about you! Go away!). Well of course freeing myself of my inner critic is not that easy. She deserves love and understanding as much as I do because she is well intentioned and of course she is a part of me. How would healing myself and letting go of all this harsh criticism feel? Whenever I do let it go it feels wonderful. It feels like I have taken 100 pounds off of my shoulders and this weight was also wrapped tightly around my shoulders and much of my body. I hold so much of this harshness in my body. I would feel so much safer if I could release this. My body would feel more limber and I would have more energy. Shame is a lot more tiring than contentment. So this is what I’m working on and I am feeling better. Peace, love, and light to all. Mary Read More2 Reply Gargi7 years agoGargiMary I admire you.your reflection helps me too. Lots of love 1 Reply Mary7 years agoMaryI admire you too, Gargi. Lots of love to you. Mary 0 Reply Aine7 years agoAineControl. This lesson just keeps popping up time after time, and still I struggle. I let go a little, the have to let go some more, in layers. The ability to think through situations, assess, and come up with a strategy has kept me alive, so it is a coping mechanism that is very hard to let go of for me. The truth, though, is that control is an illusion. I want to let go of that illusion and just Be. As for how I'd feel if I could just let it go...well, I think initially I'd feel scared becaus... Control. This lesson just keeps popping up time after time, and still I struggle. I let go a little, the have to let go some more, in layers. The ability to think through situations, assess, and come up with a strategy has kept me alive, so it is a coping mechanism that is very hard to let go of for me. The truth, though, is that control is an illusion. I want to let go of that illusion and just Be. As for how I’d feel if I could just let it go…well, I think initially I’d feel scared because it is unfamiliar, like a knight losing his suit of armor. In time, probably a shorter time than I think, I’d have a lot more energy and freedom since the gobs of energy spent on trying to figure things out would no longer be needed for that purpose. I might even feel…happy about that loss! Read More2 Reply Gargi7 years agoGargiAine thank you for your reflection. 1 Reply kathleen7 years agokathleenI want to let go of past hurts. They build up and they are there in my heart. I think I would feel lighter, and more at ease in the world. I would be saying these events don’t define me. 2 Reply Deb7 years agoDebI have been holding onto the dreams and efforts of which I spent 40 years of my adult life cultivating and nurturing: marriage and family. My husband decided we needed to go our separate ways and my daughter sees me as a devil worshipper whose children need to be protected from. Well do I remember when I had the stability and love of family but it is shattered beyond repair. And though I practice letting those hopes go, six years later it continues to rear its unpleasant head. I have a new lif... I have been holding onto the dreams and efforts of which I spent 40 years of my adult life cultivating and nurturing: marriage and family. My husband decided we needed to go our separate ways and my daughter sees me as a devil worshipper whose children need to be protected from. Well do I remember when I had the stability and love of family but it is shattered beyond repair. And though I practice letting those hopes go, six years later it continues to rear its unpleasant head. I have a new life with someone who loves me and whom I love, but those years of work and effort and so little to show for it, sometimes make me disheartened. And though I practice letting go, it seems non ending. Put it down, put it down, let it go….and I don’t remember picking it up. Read More2 Reply Aine7 years agoAineAn old friend of mine is going through something similar. All I can say is, HUGS. 1 Reply Deb7 years agoDebThank you, Aine. I am glad for your understanding. I am sorry for your friend. 0 Reply Ben7 years agoBenI’d like to let go of fear – the fear of being seen, being loved, giving from a deeply open heart, doing what I love most deeply, letting myself have a vibrant and powerful voice on behalf of protecting who and what I love, and of really trusting life, myself and others. It’s one gentle step forward each day toward this horizon of love. I’m not sure this horizon is ever fully reached (maybe there’s always more to let go of?) but I want to keep returning to this true north of my lif... I’d like to let go of fear – the fear of being seen, being loved, giving from a deeply open heart, doing what I love most deeply, letting myself have a vibrant and powerful voice on behalf of protecting who and what I love, and of really trusting life, myself and others. It’s one gentle step forward each day toward this horizon of love. I’m not sure this horizon is ever fully reached (maybe there’s always more to let go of?) but I want to keep returning to this true north of my life, and at least let myself be one with the aurora borealis of this world’s soul for as many moments as possible during my short time to live and love. And as far as how it would feel – like being hugged by the Milky Way. ???? Read More3 Reply Gargi7 years agoGargiThank you for your reflection. Helps a lot. 1 Reply Ginni7 years agoGinniRegret. It seems to serve no purpose except to make me ruminate about choices that I perceive as “bad.” Regret keeps me stuck. I’m working to let it go. It takes time. Doing the gratefulness activities, focusing on the positive in my life, and the beneficial choices that I have made is helping. Letting go of regret feels freeing. It helps to focus on what is in store rather that what has already happened. 5 Reply Mary7 years agoMaryGinni, I have had trouble letting go of regret as well. This has been difficult because I have expected myself to be perfect. No mistakes allowed. I didn’t realize until recently that I expect myself to be perfect. So it comes back to taming my fierce inner critic and learning to forgive myself. I am hoping to learn how to do this through the work I am now doing on self compassion. 1 Reply Anonymous7 years agoAnonymousHolding onto an ego has kept me revolving endlessly in the Six Realms of existence. Letting go to the point of seeing the True Nature, I would feel joy beyond description, having severed the chain of birth and death, Enlightenment is our Original Face. The feeling of letting go to that point simply cannot be understood in language. 4 Reply Michael7 years agoMichaelresistance to being a leader on a big scale. I have been putting in motion things for that to cease. I will “embrace the chaos” (as the article so wonderfully stated), stop dipping my toe, and for real let go of this fear. 3 Reply Antoinette7 years agoAntoinetteWe may need to let go of our family dog today. We are all upset. The divorce is making us all let go. The house maybe sold soon too! This too will pass. 4 Reply Mary7 years agoMaryDear Antoinette, I am so sorry to hear about your beloved family dog. You have been through so much. I know the divorce has been so hard. I have read your sharings so many times and been so inspired. You are very strong Antoinette. Sending you my love, Mary 0 Reply Aine7 years agoAineOh, I understand all too well. I am sorry for the impending loss of your dog. I’ve been there, and it just plain hurts. It can often trigger other losses coming up to be addressed as well. I’ve had the passing of a loved animal be a portal to help me, leaving me with one last gift, the gift of having those buried things come up, get felt, and thus be able to let go. 1 Reply Michael7 years agoMichaelYour logo says it all, does it not. Let go, indeed, but float in the love that envelopes you. Yes, it all passes in the flow – of love. Be peace. 1 Reply Deb7 years agoDebI am so sorry, Antoinette! What a difficult time you are having. I remember you often. 1 Reply Anna7 years agoAnnaA thought for you, dear Antoinette. 2 Reply sparrow7 years agosparrowYou are in my heart during this dark time, dear Antoinette, with love… 2 Reply Michael7 years agoMichaelkeeping you in thought and prayer 1 Reply Christina7 years agoChristinaFear…I am such a fearful person.Afraid of driving (though I do it,) afraid of not measuring up at work (although I do my job,) afraid, afraid, afraid. It would be so peaceful just to let it go. I’m a-tryin’! 6 Reply Michael7 years agoMichaelHi Christina. Just a thought: Fear is in all our lives. Bring loving mindfulness to each moment with out anticipation. It may help. 0 Reply Christina7 years agoChristinaThanks, Michael! 0 Reply Kevin7 years agoKevinThough it has only been five months, it feels like forever that I have been trying to find a way to “live” with the president of my country, Donald Trump. I am horrifically embarrassed by his deplorable actions, or lack thereof, and I feel ashamed of what he stands for, what he projects, what he says and how he acts to others around the world. I keep trying to take the “high road,” that this too will pass as the saying goes, to just breathe deeply and let it all go. And this works fine u... Though it has only been five months, it feels like forever that I have been trying to find a way to “live” with the president of my country, Donald Trump. I am horrifically embarrassed by his deplorable actions, or lack thereof, and I feel ashamed of what he stands for, what he projects, what he says and how he acts to others around the world. I keep trying to take the “high road,” that this too will pass as the saying goes, to just breathe deeply and let it all go. And this works fine until I hear the next cycle of news or pick up the morning newspaper. Letting go in this case seems irresponsible to me. I have done the opposite, actually, and have become active in some “resistance” efforts for what it is worth. But I long for the day when that real “letting go” moment happens! You know, just writing this much makes me feel better! I had been formulating a way to write about some of this stuff on my blog but in a way that wasn’t bashing or intentionally negative. My back health issues slowed all that down, but maybe I need to get back on that horse and give it a try as my back heals with surgery behind me? – Kevin Read More10 Reply Aine7 years agoAineThat man is certainly a challenge. I can only hope he is the sand in our country’s oyster rather than the alternatives. 2 Reply Kevin7 years agoKevinAmen to that, Aine. 0 Reply Michael7 years agoMichaelYou might enjoy “Taking to the Road for One America” on the On Being site. 1 Reply Kevin7 years agoKevinThanks Michael. I’ll check it out. I listen to On Being quite a bit and likely have it among my podcasts. I’m on it! 0 Reply Deb7 years agoDebUgh! Kevin, I feel the same way! He has unleashed the contemptuous attitudes of many who are spewing forth massive amounts of nastiness. It is a poison that is toxic and effecting far too many. I try not to engage, but it is difficult when I read the paper or listen to any news. 0 Reply Kevin7 years agoKevinPerfectly said, Deb. It can be hard with pen in hand not to fall into that negative spiral. 0 Reply Angel7 years agoAngelReleased. I would finally start living and be happy. 5 Reply Always Learning7 years agoAlways LearningI will keep this short… shame. I am willing to let it go. I am releasing it as we share. 8 Reply Aine7 years agoAineOne of the things that is helping me release this is to realize that so much of it was not even mine but was placed on me as a control measure by others. Another biggie is the realization that everyone feels shame at some point or another on their journey. You are not alone. We’re all in this together! 4 Reply Gina7 years agoGinaShame is a big one for me too.. I recently heard this expression, that for all the suffering, there will never be enough shame! I see it as letting go of suffering, living in the today, not yesterday, or tomorrow and the shame will follow………… I am also keeping in mind, what someone shared of let go, or be dragged!!!! hoping this helps………………….. 4 Reply Kevin7 years agoKevinBravo, my friend! 1 Reply My Private Gratitude Journal Write an entry in your private gratefulness journal Get Started This site is brought to you by A Network for Grateful Living, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit. All donations are fully tax deductible in the U.S.A. CONTRIBUTE https://demo.gratefulness.org/content/uploads/2015/03/GX-Gold-Participant-L.png Community Engagement Guidelines Privacy Policy [email protected] Connect with us on Social Media: © 2000 - 2024, A Network for Grateful Living Website by Briteweb
