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Daily Question, April 14

What can I let go of?

  • John

    Yesterday’s imperfections and mistakes. I tend to reflect ( negatively) on and ” re-live” these moments that have already passed.

  • joGary

    Being Perfect. Being what others expect.

  • Hermann-Josef

    as soon as I can „identify“ with the big YES, which is very loving, understanding and knowing, things, situations, anything ,may come and go. They come within love and they go within love . Sometimes great fear came before entering this. But in the end it has nothing to do with me as a person

  • Malag

    Pretty much everything but I don’t want to.

  • Cathie

    I can let go of expectations and try to live more in the moment.

  • mmt

    I can let go of failing. I wanted to go a thing. I tried. It didn’t happen. Let it go.

  • Don Jones

    There was a thought… perhaps it is not possible to “let go”. Maybe, it is just accepting. Accepting what is, accepting responsibility, just accepting where it (whatever it is) is at.

  • pkr
    The sadness & guilt I feel over my dear brother Kerry’s passing, April 26, 2021. I was his caregiver for his last 10 months on this earth. It is only now when I look back & review those days that I am able to process the magnitude of his suffering, his pain. I was so busy “doing”, I had no time to understand much less process what was happening. I was also caregiving my mom, too. It was just Me for them both. I have much sadness & do feel pangs of guilt for not doing a better j...

    The sadness & guilt I feel over my dear brother Kerry’s passing, April 26, 2021. I was his caregiver for his last 10 months on this earth. It is only now when I look back & review those days that I am able to process the magnitude of his suffering, his pain. I was so busy “doing”, I had no time to understand much less process what was happening. I was also caregiving my mom, too. It was just Me for them both. I have much sadness & do feel pangs of guilt for not doing a better job. I am trying to get to a point now where I truly do believe & know that all worked out the way Divine ✨ intended. I did the best I could. I miss him terribly.
    I am tired of being sad.🙏

    Read More
  • Hot Sauce

    Right now, I am learning to let go of the need for certainty about my career path. I’m only 25, and it’s okay if I don’t have it all figured out right now.

  • Linda
    Last night my husband hit a wall of grief and despair over the state of the world. I didn't know what was wrong at first, and he wasn't able to articulate it. Our 24 year old grandson had just visited and my husband was overwhelmed thinking of all the wars and other ugliness that are facing our grandson's generation. I think we are all carrying grief and shock and fear--it is all around us. Whether we are directly affected or not, it is hard not to see the suffering that is so prevalent toda...

    Last night my husband hit a wall of grief and despair over the state of the world. I didn’t know what was wrong at first, and he wasn’t able to articulate it. Our 24 year old grandson had just visited and my husband was overwhelmed thinking of all the wars and other ugliness that are facing our grandson’s generation.

    I think we are all carrying grief and shock and fear–it is all around us. Whether we are directly affected or not, it is hard not to see the suffering that is so prevalent today.
    I don’t know if I can or want to let this awareness go; I believe it is important to stay focused on how I can help.
    These are my thoughts for today.

    Read More
  • Ose

    Again, to let go of fears, in the mean time to trust that all will be well and to accept whatever life will bring (or not bring), while also in the mean time doing my best to be of service and available to whatever is meant to be. I pray for all who suffer of fear or even of panic, especially these days for all my fellow people who have to endure so much hardship and threat to life in the multiple zones of war. May they be guided to keep a heart of loving kindness and peace.

  • Barb C
    I've been working for several years on letting go of the need to be right or "best" (in a life of rewards and recognition that came for being smart, educated, informed, good at connecting and communicating ideas) and instead become a learner and someone who gets off the stage to make space and invite/welcome people who haven't had the privileges I've had. And yet that desire to be right is still there--I want to be good at this too! Who doesn't like being good at things, after all? I just keep c...

    I’ve been working for several years on letting go of the need to be right or “best” (in a life of rewards and recognition that came for being smart, educated, informed, good at connecting and communicating ideas) and instead become a learner and someone who gets off the stage to make space and invite/welcome people who haven’t had the privileges I’ve had. And yet that desire to be right is still there–I want to be good at this too! Who doesn’t like being good at things, after all? I just keep checking my motivations so it’s less and less about me, since it never was in the first place.

    Read More
  • Carol

    I have a big medical-based decision to make and I’m doing my best to do it without fear. I have made so many decisions in my life that were prompted by what I call psychological fear.A dear friend of mine always use to say: “The opposite of fear is love.” As the latest video offered here on gratefulness.org teaches: “Emotion is energy in motion.” What a world it would be if all emotion was compassionate and loving. That would produce such healing energy, Mother Nature would be smiling!

    • Barb C

      I want a phrase other than “good luck” for the decision you have to make– something that’s less about chance and more about how you’ll feel when you’ve made the decision and can set down that part of the weight you must be carrying. Whatever that phrase is, that.

    • carol
      me too. It's the 3rd time round for me. I spent 2 years in fear as my situation worsened. This time I'm preparing; improving meditation capacities, leaning that come whatever I am stronger, my knowing I have strengths ( patience, kindness, compassion, generosity, gratitude, etc.) that can be grown and acceptance. And I'm attending as many free resilience and trauma webinars and summits as possible. My point-- we are human and as such we have within us the strengths we need. What resource...

      me too. It’s the 3rd time round for me. I spent 2 years in fear as my situation worsened. This time I’m preparing; improving meditation capacities, leaning that come whatever I am stronger, my knowing I have strengths ( patience, kindness, compassion, generosity, gratitude, etc.) that can be grown and acceptance. And I’m attending as many free resilience and trauma webinars and summits as possible.
      My point– we are human and as such we have within us the strengths we need. What resources will expand them? Take every opportunity to laugh, and feel joy and feel happiness. I am such a believer in laughter being a nice vacation from stress that I send friends laughing baby videos.

      Read More
      • dragonfly

        That is so wonderful, Carol. Thank you so much for your comment about our strength as humans. What a great and uplifting view on things.

      • Carol

        Thanks, Carol. The image of babies laughing has me smiling. Your response warms my heart. Thich nhat Hanh said, “A smile is the simplest form of meditation.”

    • dragonfly

      Fear can be such a destructive force. Very few situations warrant fear and that’s where it is helpful. However, most of the time it steals away so many wonderful things. If love would fill all spaces (which I think it does if it is not held back) then it would overwhelm unsubstantiated fear and fear would just have the tiny little place it deserves. Yes, the world could heal and Mother Nature would smile. Thank you, Carol.

      • Ose

        Thank you for your kind reply, dragonfly. Yes, that´s how I will do, to open up to love filling all spaces to overwhelm really unsubstantiated fear, which I seem to still hold on to. To know it is unsubstantial and still being unable to let go of the fear feels so unnecessary. May Love be guiding and fill all of us, including me, unwithheld. Thank you for your encouragement, dear friend.

  • dragonfly
    A couple of years back a doctor lied to and about me. Not only was irreversible damage done to my body but also to my spirit. My world was turned upside down. I’m since obsessed with medical research and my mind circles around medical events constantly. I wake up and right away I start to mull over my story, have conversations in my head that I never had but think I should have had. I go for a walk and ruminate, ruminate, ruminate. I keep saying “stop!” but it keeps sneaking up on me. If e...

    A couple of years back a doctor lied to and about me. Not only was irreversible damage done to my body but also to my spirit. My world was turned upside down. I’m since obsessed with medical research and my mind circles around medical events constantly. I wake up and right away I start to mull over my story, have conversations in my head that I never had but think I should have had. I go for a walk and ruminate, ruminate, ruminate. I keep saying “stop!” but it keeps sneaking up on me. If ever there were anything that I want to let go of more than anything else (and there is lots) this would be it because it is the most useless thing and it robs me of so many wonderful experiences I could have if this shadow would not obscure them.

    Read More
    • Carol

      I hear you, Dragonfly. I struggle with a similar experience. Acceptance is the key to letting go but it’s so hard. As Eleanor Roosevelt said, “The past is history. The future is mystery. Today is the gift. That’s why we call it the present. Blessings always and all ways.

      • dragonfly

        My first step was forgiveness. And that took long enough. I understand why the doctor did what she did…she was in the grip of fear. And now the fear infuses me. Accepting what happened and letting go of it would be amazingly helpful. Whether it would expel the fear…..I’m not sure.

        • Carol
          Dragonfly, You hit the nail on the head! I have accepted what a doctor failed to do and the consequences to my health but that has not expelled my fear of some medications. Granted I'm dealing with a different doctor now but my research on what she is recommending tells me to be cautious. I realize that it has stirred my old fears. On the lighter side of this situation, I have a 99 year old uncle who when ask about his longevity says, "If you want to live a long life, stay away from doctors!" I...

          Dragonfly, You hit the nail on the head! I have accepted what a doctor failed to do and the consequences to my health but that has not expelled my fear of some medications. Granted I’m dealing with a different doctor now but my research on what she is recommending tells me to be cautious. I realize that it has stirred my old fears. On the lighter side of this situation, I have a 99 year old uncle who when ask about his longevity says, “If you want to live a long life, stay away from doctors!” I also realize that no decision is a decision! Sigh???

          Read More
          • dragonfly
            Oh Carol, it is so wonderful to read your comment. My uncle, who lived to be 96, always said the same as your uncle. My youngest son, who was witness to my experience, also has adopted the same attitude. And overall there is a lot to be grateful for. Among other things I have learned that MY health is MY responsibility and I have taken steps to fulfill that responsibility to the best of my knowledge. So this whole misery was not a total loss. :) I wish you much courage in going forward and that ...

            Oh Carol, it is so wonderful to read your comment. My uncle, who lived to be 96, always said the same as your uncle. My youngest son, who was witness to my experience, also has adopted the same attitude. And overall there is a lot to be grateful for. Among other things I have learned that MY health is MY responsibility and I have taken steps to fulfill that responsibility to the best of my knowledge. So this whole misery was not a total loss. 🙂 I wish you much courage in going forward and that all things will be for the best for you.

            Read More
      • dragonfly

        Thank you, Carol. Blessings to you as well.

  • alara

    What can I let go of? Trying to BE more, better, different!

    • alara

      After previous posting, this thought came to me: “I yam what I yam, and that’s all I yam” – Popeye (This made me smile.)
      Later, Carol recommended watching videos of babies laughing.
      I have now enjoyed my morning, immensely.

  • Holly in Ohio
    I am letting go of many things, both of "stuff" and non-material things, and feeling lighter for it. Downsizing, simplifying, every day I redirect items not to trash but to where someone might want it and use it. Yesterday it was a pizza pan, the day before some extra canning jars. All of my kids are at the point where they are beginning new households, and that is exciting. Two will be living off-campus at University. With delight I am refinishing dressers for them and polishing old cookware to...

    I am letting go of many things, both of “stuff” and non-material things, and feeling lighter for it. Downsizing, simplifying, every day I redirect items not to trash but to where someone might want it and use it. Yesterday it was a pizza pan, the day before some extra canning jars. All of my kids are at the point where they are beginning new households, and that is exciting. Two will be living off-campus at University. With delight I am refinishing dressers for them and polishing old cookware to new. I no longer need so many things, having found comfort and joy instead in gratitude.

    Similarly, I’m letting go of anger, complaints, control, and expectations. We don’t usually need these things. Some days complaints are the hardest thing for me to let go, but it is completely worth it.

    Read More
  • carol

    it’s a journey to let go of ‘ not good enough’

  • Laura

    The illusion of control.

    • dragonfly

      Thank you, Laura. This applies to me so, so much. Letting go of the believe that somehow I can gain control over things I have no control over would make life so much lighter and certainly more enjoyable. The serenity prayer comes to mind. 🙂

      • Laura

        Hello, dragonfly,
        Some days it feels like I’ve put those illusions to rest; other days it’s like starting from scratch. I try to focus on the progress I’ve made rather than an all or nothing victory.

  • sunnypatti

    I’m dealing with a lot of frustration right now, and I’d like to let it go. Working on it.

  • Marnie Jackson

    Oh so much – but the big ones are the anxiety and self-doubt that continually plague me.

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