"How much do we need to let go of?" a friend asked one day.
"I'm not certain," I replied, "but maybe everything."
Letting go is a spiritual, emotional, mental, and physical process, a sometimes mysterious metaphysical process of releasing to God and the Universe that which we are clinging to so tightly.
We let go of our grasp on people, outcomes, ideas, feelings, wants, needs, desires - everything. We let go of trying to control our progress in recovery. Yes, it's important to acknowledge and accept what we want and what we want to happen. But it's equally important to follow through by letting go.
Letting go is the action part of faith. It is a behavior that gives God and the Universe permission to send us what we're meant to have.
Letting go means we acknowledge that hanging on so tightly isn't helping to solve the problem, change the person, or get the outcome we desire. It isn't helping us. In fact, we learn that hanging on often blocks us from getting what we want and need.
Who are we to say that things aren't happening exactly as they need to happen?
There is magic in letting go. Sometimes we get what we want soon after we let go. Sometimes it takes longer. Sometimes the specific outcome we desire doesn't happen. Something better does.
Letting go sets us free and connects us to our Source.
Letting go creates the optimum environment for the best possible outcomes and solutions.
Today, I will relax. I will let go of that which is upsetting me the most. I will trust that by letting go, I have started the wheels in motion for things to work out in the best possible way.
From The Language of Letting Go
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Be who you are and say what you feel, because those who mind don't matter and those who matter don't mind. ~Dr. Seuss
Thanks, I think I really need to get this book. I saw it at 'Chapters' two weeks ago and been kicking myself ever since for not getting it. I didn't have a problem getting a short term fix by standing in line at the Starbucks so conveniently placed in the store, but to get something that would have really helped me ? hmmmmm.
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I'm proud to say I am an Alcoholic, and my name is Scott.
If the plan for me is divinely inspired, no man shall find fault with where I am today, or how I got here.
Thankyou, Carol. Letting Go.. Jeesh lol Prior to Recovery I had No Idea what this meant. Letting Go meant loss & fear to me before. Now it means release from care, boredom & worry but in a renewing of my heart's health kind of way. If that makes sense! I did my initial Step8 list last night & felt such a release into freedom as I have never felt before. I felt a fullness & nearness to 'my creator' when I did my two Steps 4 & 5 which helped me to learn a greater depth of Acceptance but when I did my List & felt the relief of willingness & humility I actually cried with gratitude.
Having had a relatively highbottom I have had such underlying pride & arrogance along with me for this Journey towards my 4th dimension. Completing this Step has helped me to realise I've truly nothing to fear but fear itself & nothing to lose but my own selfishness. Why does humility have to come so hard when if I allow for it I feel so gently uplifted, safe & contented in that Power Greater than me? Dang my ever persistent ego. It's like its own little self that wants to live for its own survival & doesn't seem to care about the prisoners it takes along the way i.e. me & my loved ones/ others I come into contact with.
I feel these Steps are teaching me how to Trust through my Higher Power & I don't have to do this on my own. It truly is a Liberating Program & I'm that much nearer to walking through this Triumphant Arch that all this work has been worth building. Thanks for helping me in my struggles & trials, MIP. Great to see you, Scott. Oh, I might also add that I didn't realise it at first but I did my 8th Step on my 8th month Anniversary with Carl.. If that's not divinely inspired I don't know what is lol It is said there are no coincidences in AA ;) Thanks for posting these, Qx Danielle x
-- Edited by Sobrietyspell at 13:30, 2008-12-04
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Progress not perfection.. & Practice makes Progress!
Hi all Danielle, I loved what you shared and it reminded me of what my sponsor and I talked about today....Growing up!! That to me is what the program is teaching me!! Facing my fears, admitting my wrongs, being kind, changing what doesnt work!
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"We tend to forget that happiness doesn't come as a result of getting something we don't have, but rather of recognizing and appreciating what we do have. "
"Great to see you, Scott. Oh, I might also add that I didn't realise it at first but I did my 8th Step on my 8th month Anniversary with Carl.. If that's not divinely inspired I don't know what is lol It is said there are no coincidences in AA ;) Thanks for posting these, Qx Danielle x"
Danielle, I learned a new word the other day. There is no such a thing as a coincidence, BUT, there is such a thing as a 'godcidence'. 8th step on an 8th month anniversary, good job !. Good to hear from you, and you are doing awesome work !!!
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I'm proud to say I am an Alcoholic, and my name is Scott.
If the plan for me is divinely inspired, no man shall find fault with where I am today, or how I got here.
