LEARNING TO LET GO SHOULD BE LEARNED
BEFORE LEARNING TO GET.
LIFE SHOULD BE TOUCHED, NOT STRANGLED.
YOU'VE GOT TO RELAX,
LET IT HAPPEN AT TIMES,
AND AT OTHERS MOVE FORWARD WITH IT.
(Ray Bradbury)
I spend a lot of time fighting the currents - of time, of worry and fear, of aging and health, of pressure to be normal, to be considered a good person. I am determined to stand strong and firm, to not let anyone or anything take me down. I dig my feet into the cold, wet sand, rooting myself as much as possible against the push and the pull and the swirling whirlpool of doubt.
But this quote makes me want to take a deep breath and let it out in one long relieved sigh, to uncurl my toes from the sand and let the waves gently toss me back and forth.
It sounds like quitting, but it feels like acceptance. Sure, I'll still need to swim sometimes, to stand and fight sometimes but not all of the time, not anymore. It's okay to release that stranglehold on life.
Aaaaah, I think I'll relax a bit, float along for awhile. Care to join me?
It really helps me to mentally remind myself I don't have control over everything. It's a great piece of wisdom to follow
ReplyDeleteI hope I'm able to keep following it. :)
DeleteIt's always good to know when to let go of something. That can be very healing to oneself.
ReplyDeleteI'm working on it!
DeleteIt's a really fuzzy line. I feel like I gave in too far the other way for a while and suddenly I am realizing I have some back-peddaling to do, particularly in the 'graceful aging" realm... because if you just let go, I gotta tell you, it ain't graceful... But it is VERY good to be realistic about what can and can't be done and don't worry about the can't.
ReplyDeleteHa on the graceful aging part. :)
DeleteIt's hard to relax. Sometimes I feel like every tiny little thing just leaves me on edge all of the time. I just need to take a deep breath and try not to worry so much.
ReplyDeleteDeep breathing really does help. I need to do more of it myself.
DeleteRelaxing is good for the mind and the body!
ReplyDeleteDefinitely!
DeleteI started floating at 30. I decided that only God could fully judge me. Me trying to meet everybody's expectations and worrying what everyone was thinking almost wore me out. You float and enjoy!!
ReplyDeleteI'll do that, Elizabeth. And good for you!
DeleteI'd like to join in if I could just stop strangling life for a minute. :D
ReplyDeleteThere's always room for you, Julie! :)
DeleteYes, taking a break and just floating around would be nice. The hard part is pushing away the "I should be doing this" thoughts. :)
ReplyDeleteThose thoughts make me crazy!
DeleteSounds like a wonderful thing to do. I love floating along, just so I don't fall asleep and drown.
ReplyDeleteArlee Bird
A to Z Challenge Co-host
Tossing It Out
That's the trick.... :)
DeleteWaiting for my pool to open! It's hard to let go of things, but you have to as you grow older - your kids, your youth, and I'm trying as hard as I can to keep my energy and my reason!
ReplyDeleteHang in there! I'm trying to keep my energy and my reason as well. :)
DeleteI've been thinking a lot lately about letting go.... definitely a good quote to ponder. I always liked Ray's stories and his writing. :)
ReplyDeleteI'm glad you enjoyed this quote, Elise. Good luck with the letting go.
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