Aloha Friends!
These days I am learning to detach from the old stories I told myself and the limits I placed on myself. I see how beautiful it is to be in the present and enjoy the experience of being human as a conscious observer. Read on to find how I detached from limitations.
What is letting go and why is it important?
Dictionary Definition:
Let someone or something go
1. allow someone or something to escape or go free.
“they let the hostages go”
2. relinquish one’s grip on someone or something.
“Adam let go of the reins”
- Similar: release
Our natural state is joy, love, and peace but the resistance we picked up along the way is what holds us down. When we let go of these attachments/stories/and belief systems we allow ourselves to go free. We start to just BE. My friend’s cup said, “You are under no obligation to keep being the person you used to be”. How perfect for the topic I am sharing today.
Your belief systems were picked up from your childhood, family, and society but you get to change them. In fact, you are the only one who can set yourself free, and you do this by letting go of old habits that do not serve you and create new ones rooted in your values.
Letting go can be ambiguous and unfamiliar if you have not exercised your self-control muscle. Letting go can also be difficult when the action requires no action/ inaction. For example, I am at a festival and there are pies everywhere. A thought with an urge to try a third flavor arises. I can exercise self-control by letting go of the thought and emotion and saying no and not take action on that thought.
For these habits, it is helpful to track and SEE the benefit you are choosing by not acting upon your flesh. You can track the number of days on your calendar you go without acting on urges that are do not benefit you in the long run like eating sugary soda, or candy, or not spending money on items you don’t need.
Self-discipline is different in that this requires action. You can habit stack by adding one habit that you already do with another that you want to add. If you want to add writing you can stack the new habit with your shower after the gym that you already have and is a good transition.
How to Let Go:
- Get to know what letting go feels like.
You must commit your mind to letting go of thoughts that do not serve you and choosing to be this new you. Watch them float by like clouds knowing they are not you, and say, “I let go and choose something else.” When stories come up about what others might be thinking about you, you let them go and come back to the present moment. Start to get familiar with this feeling and directing your attention to the truth of what is in front of you.
- Stop thinking
Our thoughts come from our flesh. They are stories made up from the past and the part of us that does not know we are unlimited spirits. It is part of our survival mode that we developed as humans and only think about the immediate now (survival mode) without thinking about how all that sugar, or not going for a run, or not studying for that exam will effect you.
- Breath (Holy Spirit) connects you to Neutrality
Connecting to your breath stops the thinking altogether and brings discernment. From this place, you are able to make the best decisions as the conscious observer. You are able to be in the now and make decision that will add to your best self even if they are require a new habit. This is why it is essential we observe our thoughts daily through some form of meditation practice. This can be walking for 30, sitting and watching our thoughts, or once you are experienced you can observe the thoughts that take you away from the present moment and let them go.
- Reframe your past
This is how you reclaim your power. You stop being the victim of your past by taking responsibility of how you are feeling and responding to your life. You start deciding what this life means to you now and what you want to make of it.
I have faith these steps were helpful and that you let go of what you holding bound. I pray that you connect to love today and allow that feeling to fuel you and take responsibility of where your life is going. What are you letting go of today?
With love,
Jessica
