You may have heard from a friend, a family member or even a coach or counselor that you need to "let go" of someone or something in your life.
Often, it is a person or situation that is keeping you from growing as an individual and living your best possible life.
But what does "letting go" mean?
I would like to share with you a list of meanings for "letting go" from my readings of authors Hugh Prather and Melodie Beatty.
"To let go doesn't mean to stop caring, it means I cannot do it for someone else.
"To let go is not to cut myself off, it is the realization that I cannot control another.
"To let go is not to enable, but to allow learning from natural consequences.
"To let go is to admit powerlessness in some situations, which means the outcome is not in my hands.
"To let go is not to try to change or blame another. I can only control and change myself.
"To let go is not to care for, but to care about.
"To let go is not to fix, but to be supportive.
"To let go is not to judge, but to allow another to be a human being.
"To let go is not to be in the middle arranging all the outcomes, but to allow others to effect their own outcomes.
"To let go is not to be protective; it is to permit another to face reality.
"To let go is not to deny but to accept.
"To let go is not to nag, scold or argue, but to search out my own shortcomings and correct them.
"To let go is not to adjust everything to my desires, but to take each day as it comes and to cherish the moment.
"To let go is not to criticize or regulate anyone, but to try to become whatever dream I can dream.
"To let go is not to regret the past, but to grow and live for the future.
"To let go is to fear less and to love more."
You may want to add to or modify some of the above so they are more pertinent and useful to your situation.
I think they are a good place to start when attempting to sort out what we can or cannot control in our everyday lives.
Based in Rockport, life and relationship coach Susan Britt, M.Ed., a psychotherapist and former university director of career and counseling services, teaches individuals, couples and families to resolve relationship conflicts, clarify and achieve life and career goals, and accelerate personal growth. Questions and comments may be directed to her at susanbritt1@verizon.net.
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