Letting go is one of the hardest lessons one can ever learn. It is something that may take many years. It make take a great deal of reflection or counseling or both. What ever it takes it is worth it. Letting go is a source of freedom. The hard part is that letting go is not natural. We want retribution, we want to believe that life is fair, we want to believe that good will overcome evil. This is one of those truly difficult conflicts that we each much confront in some way in our own lives. Letting go is one of the most powerful act one can take. Through out life we are all injured or damaged either by the acts of other, acts of God or by self. Act by others may be abuse or rape. Acts of God may be any number of tragedies from natural disasters to a fluke accident. Acts by self may be the injury you created when you were driving drunk and hit a tree and the accident left you impaired. The reality is that holding on to the pain. and anger that these actions promote only keeps your wounds open. it allows them to fester. It is like a cancer that eats into your soul. You may have been abused by someone either physically or mentally. That was not your fault. How you choose to handle it ultimately becomes your responsibility. Each time you replay the insult is now something you are doing to yourself. The only way to free your soul is to “let it go”. Sometimes time heals, sometimes we need help. What ever you do seek to let it go. “Letting go is a source of power”

There are hundreds of example of people letting go of great personal tragedies and moving forward with their lives. From Rhuwanda to Amish/Quaker (?) community in a small town in Pennsylvania. Learning from these tragedies and moving forward can also create great power. I have had more than one student who took their anger and pain and turned it into something positive. It all boils down to our choices and willingness to move forward. It is never easy. I could write a great deal more but I think I have said more than enough. Thank you for your patience. Be well and take care.

Many years ago a friend shared this thought: “I am my word.” That simple statement has defined my actions and my commitments most of my life. When I have faltered it has been because I have not honored my “word” and I did not listen to my heart. Be clear, I have not always been true to this ideal but I have made every effort to do so. In those times when I was inconsistent I have tried to make amends. Knowing your heart is the place to start. (I just read this in daily practices and thought it fit:) “In the stillness of the quiet, if we listen, we can hear the whisper of the heart giving strength to weakness, courage to fear, hope to despair.”
~ Howard Thurman

Tom thank you for your thoughtful reflection. For most of our married life (45 plus years) my wife and I have walked at least an hour a day in the early mornings. (During the lock down we have upped it a bit)

We have had the privilege of watching shooting stars, a multitude of moon shadows and an infinite number of sunrises. This time daily it our time to reflect, be thankful and connect. We do it year round, snow, wind, rain, beautifully clear skies and everything in between. It has been a daily gift. Thanks again!

I think there four basic elements that are a part of my daily rituals. To some lessor or greater degree I do each of the following. 1) To nurture myself physically, mentally and spiritually. As I have gotten older my needs and my desires to be able to work and play require a constant commitment to each of the above. My exercise, my responsibilities and my desires to grow in spiritual ways has only grown.. 2) To stay current with those I love. Maintaining empathy and compassion are central to how I would like to be. I have to work hard at avoiding the traps of today[s society. It would be easy to get lost in the negativity that surrounds us. I try to reach out with a phone call, or note, With those with whom I work and encounter in my daily travels, I like to take few extra minutes to check in with a friend or family member. 3) I seek to grow and learn as much as possible. I like to surround myself with positive messages, reading and people. 4) Finally I seek to work in meaningful ways consistent with my values.. I am fortunate to have my health to do what I love and feel most passionate about. Most of this revolves around my volunteer work, my family and my other commitments. Make it a great day.