Chapter 65: Let It Go

It is time once again to Stew on this! The idea of letting go of cherished aspects of myself can be daunting...

In honor of my impending 70^th birthday, I set an intention this summer to climb 7 of my favorite peaks in the area. The mission was completed a few days ago, and Hillary joined me for all 7.

I always feel proud when I follow through on my intentions. Mostly, though, I am feeling very grateful to still be able to do that kind of thing, especially with all the other things, activities and people I have already “let go of” in my life.

Nothing in the physical realm lasts forever, even things that are hard and enduring like the mountains we have been climbing.

Therefore, life invariably involves letting go. What can make that extra hard is when doing so feels like losing a part of myself – a cherished part of who I am.

After nearly seventy trips around the sun, however, I KNOW that I never have to let go of the who I really am, just who I think we am.

This is especially true when it comes to letting go of the labels that I lay on myself, the roles I play in life, the physical abilities I have, my current beliefs and opinions, etc.

I may cherish some of these as aspects of myself more than others, but none of them are who I am.

So, every time I release one, whether I do it consciously or not, I have the opportunity to find out more about who and what I truly am, which is love.

More on that in a moment…

The idea of letting go of cherished aspects of myself can be daunting, but for one thing, I know it is possible. In fact, I do it all the time!

For instance, Dr. Chuck Ribley used to ask us if we made a habit of collecting all the fingernails and hair we lose and then drag them around in a big sack behind us? Why not? We worked hard making those things!

I, for one, have quite a fondness for my hair…

Somehow, I let go of twenty baby teeth by the time I was twelve years old. Sure, that was easier because I got a visit from the Tooth Fairy every time! I also had a great deal of confidence that adult teeth were coming in to replace them.

But I am older now and can handle more of a challenge!

I find it helpful in that challenge to look at letting go more as “surrendering.” Not in the sense of failure or giving up, more as in surrendering my ticket to get into a concert or sporting event. I am giving up a worthless piece of cardboard for something much more meaningful and valuable.

Similarly, when I surrender what no longer serves me, I am left with a greater capacity to give and receive love. I know much more about what is most important to me and what is not.

When it comes to habits, attachments and addictions that I choose to let go of, it helps me to focus on using them or transforming them so that they serve me, rather than attempting to surgically remove them.

Surgical removal is not necessary. Whenever I keep my focus on what IS eternal and important, I do not have to worry about letting go of the things that no longer serve me. They automatically let go of me!

The Covid years were a crash course in letting go. I had to let go of lots of things I thought were always going to be there, such as travel, eating in restaurants - and sanity. In the process I certainly learned a lot about what is important and what is not.

Some of those luxuries have returned, but knowing they, and other things, can go away in a heartbeat is inspiration to sink my roots more deeply in what cannot ever be taken away.

In my ministry days I would often hear the phrase,
“Let Go; Let God.” This reminds me that letting go can be an affirmation of trust. Trust in Universal Intelligence. Trust in Innate Intelligence. Trust in myself.

When I trust, I know that I will always be okay because I am more than okay and more than enough right now.

Even with all the letting go I have done in my 70 years, the truest and most joyful essence of who I am is still here. And that person is still able to show up in any moment.

I know I have written this before, but here it is again: at the end of life, everything will be stripped away except love. That is what makes love the only rational choice.

So, I might as well start choosing it now.

Stew on that, and I shall see you next time.

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