Change, Growth, and the Power of Letting Go

Today I am thinking about the seasons…change….letting go….and what’s next.    

 Here on the American prairie, seasons rarely flow gently from one into the next.  There are ups and downs.  Hot, cold, then hot again–and vice versa.  Winds, always winds.  And then, almost suddenly, the next season is here and we find ourselves asking, “Exactly when did that happen?”  We can’t pin-point the moment.

You probably see where I’m going with this.  Life’s transitions can feel just as bumpy.  I’ll  admit, I’m not always a fan of change.  (Cue my family’s chorus of, “Um, duh!”)  Change can be difficult, unanticipated,  and downright scary.  Sometimes it feels unfair. 

Last month, someone I admire said, “Trees cannot grow new leaves in spring if the older ones are still hanging on.”  Obvious, right?  But it hit me:  letting go isn’t just important–it’s crucial.  It’s the necessary step that makes space for something new, exciting, and awesome to grow. 

Imagine if trees tried to grow fresh leaves through last year’s leftovers.  It’d be a mess.  Neither the leaves nor the tree would thrive as they’re meant to.

So, the next time you realize it’s time to let go of something–a book you’ve already read, a favorite sweatshirt with one-too-many-holes, an outdated belief, a toxic relationship–give yourself permission to let go.   Feel into what might have room to show up in its place. And have compassion for whatever feelings come with it.  Maybe it’s grief, anger, fear, gratitude, or even resentment.  That’s okay.  Those emotions mean you care.  Let them come up and out.

Then shift your focus to the exciting part:  the new growth waiting to emerge.  Feel your feelings, then let that things go.  Notice how it moves you close to who you want to be and the life you want to create.

 Until next time, Shine Bright, my friend.