This has become a new mantra of sorts for me though I’m not exactly sure where it came from.  But that’s ok, too.   Perhaps the thought took hold when I was contemplating the somewhat related but different act of letting people go.

I have recently come to terms with the fact that I am, or was, a people possessor.  It’s not such a good thing to be and it’s something I am working on fixing.  Not sure I want to go into why I am “wired” that way, maybe these thing are best left unsaid.  I do know I am getting better about it and allowing people to come and go freely from my life is actually liberating.  It’s like I no longer have to be responsible for other people’s feelings. Shoot, I can barely take care of my own!

Some of you may also know I am an unabashed control freak.  True story.  Being that way has its pluses and minuses like most things in life.  It helps to keep me grounded and focused but keeps me from being more spontaneous.  It’s all a matter of balance.

So yesterday I ventured to a new state park and even managed to take the dog with me.  It was the first time I had taken him on a day trip to do something outdoors so I was a little apprehensive.  But going to this place was on my Fifty for Fifty list (sort of) and it was such a beautiful day….and so we went.  A little out of character for me and that was good, too.  It was time to let go of the usual Sunday conventions.  Time to let go of my belief that the day would not be as enjoyable with a four-legged beast attached to me by a six-foot leash.   It was time to just do something for the sheer pleasure of it.

I mentioned before about starting a Morning Pages project and it’s more or less ongoing. I skipped a couple of mornings but have been writing (long hand!) most every day.  Sometimes it’s a bunch of not much of anything but every now and again, something profound comes spilling out.   Thought I’d go out on a limb and share a portion with you.

“Just let go.  Let go of the expectations of others.  Let go of what you think other people want you to do.  Let go of all the things from the past that drag you down.  Let go of all the negativity.  Just let go.  

Let that voice in your head that says “no” go.  Let all those preconceived notions go.  Let all of what you think society demands of you go.  Just let go. 

You hold onto things that you believe may be true and it drags you down.  You hold on for dear life, afraid of what might replace those thoughts.  It’s like you are afraid of drifting aimlessly if you don’t hold onto the anchor.  But an anchor only makes you sink.  When you let go of the anchor, you are free to go to a higher place, one without chains, a place where you can be at peace.  

It is profound that this freedom can only come from within you and only you can let go of the things that bind you to the past. Only you can tell the voice in your head to “shut up”. Only you can cut those chains to free yourself.

Just let go.  Free your soul.”