Over lunch the other day a friend spoke of a life-long pattern of repeatedly confronting circumstances that presented opportunities to make decisions about whether to hold on or to let go. It seems a common dilemma. After much pondering it occurred to me that the underlying and bigger issue here is really about the courage to face change and the ability to make choices.
- Do you hold onto the vision of a perfect relationship or let it go and accept the reality of a flawed one?
- Do you hold onto the hope of reinvigorating a dying career or let it go and reinvent your work life?
- Do you hold onto old hurts and wrongs or let go of them, consider forgiveness and embrace healing?
- Do you hold onto disappointments or let go of expectations?
- Do you hold onto an old persona or let go of the mask of who you were?
- Do you hold onto the known or let go of your fear of the unknown and face it?
The decision to Hold On or to Let Go, rather than representing opposite choices seems more of a continuum. The choices we make in the short term are subject to the ongoing changes that Life presents us; sometimes we make decisions to hold onto something that later we choose to release.
When you have to clutch at something to keep it in your grasp
your grip will soon weaken from the boredom.
Keys #59
Cosmic Gardener - Cultivating a Life 