“One of the hardest things I have done is simply letting go. Of what you may ask? Well of all things such as aggression, anger, fear, wants and needs, desires, hopes and even dreams”(Thomas Merton)
You see, those things that I let go of had a hold on me, often manipulating me to do stuff and do things I really did not need to do. Our society centers its thrust towards the commercial, that is to say, the purchasing and acquisition of things and services. Vacations, cars, jewelry, booze, trinkets and baubles, and we need to get his stuff now, not later. Immediate satisfaction and hopefully with a sale price listed.
When you cannot get what you wan,t you can become discouraged, disappointed and even angry. Anger often leads to frustration and conflict. It is truly difficult to let go of those things that you believe made you what you are today. Letting go is an entirely difficult process that requires determination, discipline and often assistance from someone else. Never fear asking for help!
A mental issue, of course, as our minds become cluttered with wants, desires, hopes and plans to acquire and use these things. Confusion can in fact set in as well. Too much stimulation, too quickly dealt with. Not being able to acquire or achieve these things has a strong effect upon our persona, often leading us to thinking less of ourselves and our self worth.
All of this can lead to issues that can and will affect our attitudes, how we live our lives and our mental capacity. Further pulls upon our well being may come from our place of employment, family matters, social distress and what Freud called “mass fatalism”, the nature of society.. If we cannot have what we want, why bother trying? so give up. Letting go of these things may be difficult, but letting loose will allow your mind to empty itself of the garbage we have filled it with for years, and allow wholesome thoughts, desire and needs to flow in. Being able to think about other things, such as education, studies, and ideas, will inject you with energy you have not had for years.
I experienced this when I first entered the Religious Life as a Friar of the Franciscans T.O.R., yes Friar Tuck 🙂 We were encouraged to feel a part of the world, yet apart as well. Learning to meditate and investigate one’s own persona, understanding why we did and do what we do. What motivates us and what has shaped us over the years. We learnt how to let go, both spiritually and personally. For me, letting go of my self-control was difficult. Even as a Friar, I believed that I was responsible for all that befell me over the years. Letting go cleans me of the anger, disappointment and some hatefulness I still had. I opened up to my Brothers and others like never before and could accomplish things relying upon my intelligence and faith.
Letting go of the unneeded allows us to plug ourselves into a universal battery of emotion, logic and personal achievement. If you have experienced a horrible past or present, understand why it happens/happened, think it out, learn the lesson it surely wants to present to you and then move on in your life. Like a bad dinner, cleanse yourself, don’t concern yourself about it any more and move on.
” A single sunbeam is strong enough to drive away many shadows” (St. Francis). Your self-awareness, self-discovery, honesty and self-reliance will be your sunbeam.
Finally, a lesson on letting loose, opening up and letting go of what you do not need to worry about…
‘Remember when you leave this world, you can take with you nothing that you have acquired or received-Only what you have Given”( St. Francis). Give of yourself, be charitable, honest, forthright and true. There is nothing else that can be demanded of you. Remember, you were made for this. 🙂
Steven Kaszab
Bradford, Ontario
“Whether religious or not, the purity of one’s being shines forth before all to see. Devest yourself of unwanted/unneeded things and walk the path of courage and grace” (Bishop Tutu)
