Letting Go for Spiritual Growth

 

            “Letting go is hard to do…”

 

            This truism couldn’t be more right. We struggle with letting go of things, ideas, situations, relationships and emotions, which are a negative influence on our lives. For some reason we, as humans, want to carry everything, the good, the bad, the ugly, with us at all times. This in turn separates us from the natural cycles around us, separates us from Spirit.

            Letting go is a natural part of life; take some time to look around you, the process of letting go is everywhere you look.In fall the trees let go of their leaves, the grass lets go of the vibrant color green it has held on to and worked for all summer long. Nature begins to conserve its energy, allowing itself time to rest in the coming winter months.

            The most prime example of letting go that Nature has gifted us with is the Snake. Our fellow creature, the Snake sheds its skin when it outgrows it, leaving it behind without a second thought, thus giving us a beautiful and shinning example of how we should be. When something no longer serves our highest good, or “fits”, we should embrace the energy of change; release our old views and way of life. Just as Snake removes its skin and moves forward with a new out look, as a new being so should we release outdated ideals, emotions, relationships, situations and thoughts.

            After all, even our own physical bodies try to teach us this lesson of release. Our lungs take what they need from the air and then release it into the world to be reused; our digestive systems do this with the nutrients and the food that we eat. Even our skin releases parts of itself on a daily basis, every organ of our body; every system has a cycle of intake and release. However, our conscious mind, so desperate for control, hangs on, fighting to keep everything the same, never truly considering whether or not that which we are holding onto is healthy for our over all well being or not.
            As we move toward a more spiritual life, we should ask the Divine to help us see what no longer serves our highest purpose; what has become harmful and what things we are holding on to long past their expiration date. All of this life that we cling to, trying to take it with us, has become baggage; and yes, it served its purpose at one time or another, it helped us to grow, to shape us into the person we are at this very present moment. However, holding on to the painful memories, the negative emotions, the unsatisfying relationships and outdated ideals all in the name of stability begins to poison our very souls, holding us back from our true potential, creating blockages and cutting us off from that Divine voice we all carry inside of us.

            Spirit wants us to thrive, to enjoy life, to be happy, healthy, whole, loved and loving, when we beat ourselves up and live in the past, never deigning to move forward and experience the present; which is truly all we have, we close our selves off from the voice of the Divine, and remove ourselves from the Divine language of Love that surrounds us. We create more problems and keep ourselves from trusting, loving and from moving with the ease that we should.

            Autumn is upon us, Nature is letting go as we speak, there is added energy all around us to do this work, so It is time to Let Go…shed our skin…move on and begin a brand new day with a new view, and to begin to live in the present.

 

Suggested Affirmation:

“I look with Divine Sight at my life. I acknowledge the lessons I have learned and all that I have experienced. Moving with the Divine Spirit in the present moment I release everything that no longer serves my highest purpose; that which is no longer nourishing and positive moves quickly and smoothly out of my life. I am shedding it as Snake sheds his skin to move forward toward spiritual truth, purpose and love as a new happier, healthier loving person. I give thanks for this new beginning that it may be so, and so it is!