A long time ago, I met someone who was the living proof of carrying dark and useless feelings. As if the soul were a backpack, this person took it upon themselves to accumulate resentment, hatred, sadness, and grudges: a host of emotions that, rather than making their life lighter, did what I would call “ruin their existence.” Whenever they could, this person would remember the pain they had felt, the abuse or the negative looks they had received from others. With emphasis and a certain pride, they would say:
“I remember every single one of the sufferings I have endured and who caused them,” they would say, dragging their grudges through life, feeling that their actions hurt the other person and not themselves.
But one day that person realized that in order to move forward, they had to let go of that heavy burden they had always carried, leave things behind, close cycles, and free up space. Just as we accumulate objects and clothes without realizing it, we also accumulate old feelings that take up space and dampen the walls of our soul.
That person I'm talking about is me. For a long time, I felt that life and people owed me things. I carried feelings around like they were shackles and kept other people's debts inside me.
But when I let go of everything and gave thanks for each of my experiences, my life became a lighter suitcase to carry. I understood, in time, that life is difficult enough without also carrying the heavy weight of unresolved grudges.
So if I had to say something to Nancy from the past, it would be to let go quickly, not to hold on to things that no longer serve her, that no longer fit her, such as clothes or objects; but also not to get stuck in feelings that hurt her, to turn the page without folding the corner, to let go of what must go, not to hold on. Because as the saying goes: “Letting go is not losing, letting go is growing.”
Certainly, we have been taught the power of holding on: hold on to life, they say; don't let go of that man, they advise; hold on tight so you don't fall, they ordered us, but there are times when letting go is the healthiest and least painful thing we can do. I remember carrying the pain of my grandmother's and father's deaths for a long time. I took so much refuge in the pain and anger over their deaths that I didn't give myself time to honor them, to celebrate and be grateful that they had been with me for most of my life.
So I would say to my past self: let go, Nancy, of what doesn't resonate with you, let go of the old, like those clothes that no longer fit you; leave behind that part of yourself that you no longer like or need, but be grateful for what was, what you were, honor what you learned, move forward, grow. Always remember: letting go doesn't mean losing, but making room for the new things that should come into your life.
The images are from my personal gallery and the text was translated with Deepl
Thank you for reading and commenting. Until a future reading, friends
KISS BLOG IDEAS: WEEK #176/ Let go, learn, move forward, and heal | Ecency
