Inner Peace Tool ~ Letting Go

"There's an important difference between giving up and letting go."
~ Jessica Hatchigan

Even as I gathered quotes to put into this entry, I realized how much Letting Go is a constant practice of Inner Peace. Life is a journey, not a destination...and all along our Paths are opportunities to Let Go of something.

"You don't need strength to let go of something.
What you really need is understanding."
~ Guy Finley

We are all on our Path. Think of it, we are born alone, we die alone, and in between is our Path. Sometimes we have other people to help us on our Path: please think of me writing this blog entry for YOU...that I came along to write these words specifically to invite you to Peace.

Since we are on our own Path, that means that others are on their own Paths. And at times, it can feel like we are walking on 2, 3, 4 or even 10 other people's Paths. Here is where we get to make a choice: It is a blessing to someone, to let them walk on their own Path. We sacrifice of ourselves when we don't focus on our own journey, and this cannot lead to Peace. Only by being true to ourselves, can we be true to other people.

"Hanging onto resentment is letting someone you despise live rent-free in your head."
~ Ann Landers

I have found that the quickest way to "Let Go" of something, of anything, is with Forgiveness. It can be easier to forgive others than to forgive ourselves...but when we DO, we are giving ourselves a second chance. An opportunity to learn from something that has affected us deeply, to let go of the regret & sorrow, and to find Peace as someone a little bit smarter, a little bit braver.

"Inner peace can be reached only when we practice forgiveness. Forgiveness is letting go of the past, and is therefore the means for correcting our misperceptions."
~ Gerald Jampolsky

I invite you to make that choice. Today, this minute, is an opportunity to Let Go of something. Don't try to figure out 'what,' it will most likely present itself to you now. Difficult? Perhaps. Overwhelming? Welcome to the club. But I have faith in YOU. We are more powerful than even WE can imagine. Step 1...Forgive: whomever, whatever, ourselves. Do it honestly and willingly. Step 2...(and smile as you do this) Let Go. See the thoughts leave your body through your head, through your tears, through your Heart...and let Peace immediately replace that space. It is your Peace, you have earned it.

"Although we have been made to believe that if we let go we will end up with nothing, Life itself reveals again and again the opposite: that letting go is the path to real freedom."
~ Excerpt from The Tibetan Book of Living and Dying