Celebrate Letting Go

 
“We must be willing to let go of the life we’ve planned, so as to have the life that is waiting for us.”
– Joseph Campbell
 
For those of us in the Christian community this week is the beginning of Lent. The English word “Lent” is a shortened form of the Old English word len©ten meaning “spring cleaning.” It is a welcomed time for those of us living in New Orleans. Two weeks of nonstop Mardi Gras partying has been fun but the change of pace now is also appreciated.

As a kid growing up I made it a practice to give up something I really enjoyed (most often candy) for the 40 days of Lent. Of course on Easter Sunday I got right back into eating too much of whatever I had given up on the first day of lent. Today I have a different perspective regarding the benefits of the traditions of this season. These six weeks offer me the opportunity to implement some changes in my life that will not end in 40 days but will last a lifetime. My theme for the next forty days will be to “release resistance and improve persistence.”

Today both the Church and psychologists are expounding on the benefits of implementing a positive action in our lives rather than having a mindset of what I need to give up.

In the Clarion Herald Archbishop Aymond wrote an article entitled “Focus on one attitude or behavior change during Lent.”

In reading any article or book I highlight the message that speaks to me so that I can go back and reflect on it. The following message from his article really excited me. “I believe in Lent it is important to pick one area of our life, one attitude that God is calling us to change. At the end of Lent, it’s not to say I fulfilled my penance but, more importantly, how I have changed, how I have come closer to God’s dream for me.”

The following are a few excerpts from the article Psychological benefits of Spring Cleaning” by Liv Kelleher.

“Letting go is more liberating than you know. Spring is all about new life and fresh starts. This doesn’t just apply to nature. Take it upon yourself to use this changing of seasons to start a change in you as well. Get rid of the things that seem to hold you back and remind you of an old chapter in your life. If something is no longer has productive value to your life, don’t be afraid to let it go.”

One of the most difficult things for me to do is to let go of things I think should be working in my life and for some reason I cannot make it work. My sales background heightens this challenge. I can remember receiving the complement that I was the most persistent person because I never accepted a “no.”

In my introduction video of Positive Pops I have the balloons that continue to get in my way because of the wind blowing. At the time it was a distraction but I soon realized the significance of balloons in my life. I have a particular practice that has been very beneficial to me.  I get two helium filled balloons and write a note to tape on both of them. On one balloon I tape the note of whatever I am releasing and on the other I tape a note of what I am attracting to replace what I am letting go of. This can be a situation, a particular person, an unfulfilling job or anything that is causing unrest or turmoil in my life. This works because when the thought pops up about that person or situation I remind myself that I have already dealt with this by releasing the balloons.
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You may want to check out past blog postings. There may be an idea that you can embrace and implement in your life to create positive change. Regardless of your faith affiliation I invite you to participate in the Christian tradition during the next 40 days and implement just one thing during that time that will make a major change in your life and will open doors for living a life of abundance.