Let It Go!!
As we were finishing our morning walk the other day, I slowed down to feel the cool morning breeze and the warm sunshine on my face. As I looked around, I saw a flurry of leaves falling from one of the many trees on our driveway. It was beautiful. I love seeing the change in season from summer to fall. And, as i watched, I was reminded of something I once heard “Fall, shows us how beautiful it is to let things go.”
I literally stood there for a moment and thought about the process of nature. Because of where we live, we pay a different kind of attention to it. And, we often utilize the wonders of nature to assist us in our gardening. As I looked at the trees letting go of the leaves, I realized that the leaves would fall to the ground and die and decompose and give nourishment/life to the plants/trees/shrubs as they hibernated during the upcoming winter season. But……in the spring, all things would bloom with the newness and beauty of life. What an amazing process.
Then, I started thinking about life and the challenges we face and how sometimes, we are terrified to let go of things that once harmed us or that we grew out of or that we no longer have need of. It made me wonder, how many of us are missing the Blooming of Spring in our lives, because we won’t let go.
I’ve shared how my husband and son and I benefited from therapy. There were so many things in our lives individually and as a family that need to be honestly faced, addressed and released. And, as we have addressed them I’ve been amazed at the changes in our lives.
I’ve learned personally that I have the power to say no without regret. I see it now as self-care.
I’ve watched my husband walk confidently into who he really is and accomplish so much.
I’ve watched my son discover the power he had within all along and create a space of healing for others.
And, we are all better for doing the work.
Now, I’m not saying letting go is easy. Some of what we have held on to has helped us to survive a lot of challenging circumstances. Yet, when we discover the options and the power we have outside of those behaviors, we can really fertilize our futures by shedding those behaviors/habits and growing into the future that was intended for us.
As the headlines around the death of Queen Elizabeth have dominated the news cycle recently, I’ve been drawn to the many ways it has affected so many people I read Prince Harry’s tribute to his Grannie and then landed upon an interview he had done for the documentary “The Me You Can’t See.” I was struck by his description of making changes for the benefit of future generations. And, how therapy empowered him to know that he had to leave the “institution.” It wasn’t popular, nor well supported, but by letting go, he had the chance to address the trauma he had endured and BLOSSOM into the man he needed for himself and his family.
What do you need to let go of? While eating and sleeping and exercising well is vital to good health, if your spirit is weighed down, you can’t be the best person you were created to be. Take another look at your life right now and decide if you need to shed some things. And, if you do, as I’m sure you will, purpose that you will begin today and look forward to how the shedding will actually nurture your future.
It’s not easy to do on your own, so I recommend the following for a successful journey. It takes work. And, the work brings great results.
-Do the work.
-Identify someone(s) who will support you.
-Look at all your professional therapy options.
-Sit with your feelings and allow the emotions to flow.
-Give yourself grace.
-Practice mindfulness
-Consider a spiritual practice i.e., prayer, meditation, etc.
-Accept where people are.
-Give yourself permission to forgive.
-Practice the principles of self-care, including setting boundaries.
-Make healthy lifestyle choices.
-See the losses your new choices may cause as opportunities to experience the fullness of joy.
-Get ready to BLOOM!!! Spring Is Coming!!!
May this Fall season be a blessing to your Soul!! Let It Go!! It’s Wellness Wednesday Yawl!!
I’m Still Shoutin’ Ova Here!!
Donna
#fall #autumn #leaves #tree #shedding #letitgo #therapy #Bloom #free #growth #healing #mentalhealthmatters #cookinupgoodhealth #wellnesswednesday #stillshoutinovahere