Sunday, November 27

Letting Go......... 11/27/11

                                                                                                                  
T
o let go doesn’t mean to stop caring:
       it means I can’t do it for someone else.
  To let go is not to cut myself off:
       it is the realization that I can’t control another.
  To let go is not to enable: but to allow learning 
         from natural consequences.
             To let go is to admit powerlessness,
                 which means the outcome is not in my hands.
     To let go is not to try to change or blame another: I
         can only change myself.
     To let go is not to care for, but to care about.
     To let go is not to fix, but to be supportive.
     To let go is not to judge,
                 but to allow another to be a human being.
     To let go is not to be in the middle           
                 arranging outcomes, but to allow others to
                 effect their own outcomes.
     To let go is not to be protective:
                  it is to allow another to face reality
     To let go is not to deny, but to accept.
     To let go is not to nag, scold, or argue, but to 
                          search out my own shortcomings
                  and to correct them.
     To let go is not to adjust everything to my 
                 desires, but to take each day as it comes and 
                 to cherish the moment.
     To let go is not to criticize and regulate anyone, but
                 to try to become what I dream I can be.
     To let go is not to regret the past, but to grow 
           and live in the present.
     To let go is to fear less and love more.  

7 comments:

Anonymous said...

I couldn't resist adding this one thought.
To let go is to Let God.
This poem is lovely and beautifully written. I enjoyed it verrry much.
Muse
I like being anonymous so i can perform the next request and prove Im not a robot.

Catherine said...

This is lovely, Pablo. I will take it for myself, and perhaps even show parts of it to my son.

I was once asked by my sponsor,"Name the things over which you have control."

I stammered and searched and finally said, "Only myself."

Thank you for your eloquent and gentle way of expressing this.

Pablo said...

Muse, I agree, letting go is releasing our concerns into God's hands.

@ Catherine,

Why not allow you son to read this in it's entirety? I'm glad you find value and encouragement from this post.

Wishing you a great week,

The Innkeeper

Broken said...

This poem flows with so much meaning...I used to be someone who hated uncertainity and change,so I had difficulty with letting go.Although I still do struggle with this, I've now learned the hard way that I can't have control over everything,sometimes even myself...So sometimes when we've done everything we can,we just have to let go of living in the world of just black and white and let God guide us through the grey...

Pablo said...

Dear Broken,

I love your way with words and insights. If I could only been as wise are you are, when I was your age. I'm in agreement with you, including what you write about not being in control of ourselves. This is why I have a relationship with God.

I need His help so I can become the person I want to be. The good news is that He is more loving, gentler and patient than I ever imagined. I value His graciousness and kindness towards me as I continue learning life's lessons.

Part of my maturing is realizing that life, for the most part, is not black and white. It also involves becoming more understanding and compassionate towards others, especially those who differ with me. Having experienced kindness, unconditional acceptance and grace from others---especially from my Balcony People---makes it much easier to be this way, even when relating with the unkind and cruel.

Thank you for adding to this inn with your comments.

Anonymous said...

I light hearted story......2 weeks ago I took my kids and my eldest's friend fishing close to home not because it's very fun but more because it's a cheap way to spend the day outdoors..... Before I continue I have to give you some insight....I'm going through the toughest time in my life currently. Alimony, child support and mortgage has be financially choked. Plus all the emotional and relationship challenges post divorce is draining me. In the past our family would go on multiple camping trip, beach trips, Hawaii, etc.. I would take in such adorable Godly scenery that would fill the heart with oxygen and record in my soul.... So back to the muddy fishing hole by our home. There's something about catching a fish that kids don't forget and that was my goal for them. I took some time to set up 4 poles and lines for all of the kids. Before finishing the 4th pole 2 of them got their lines snagged and broke in the the river bank trees. I instructed them how to cast sideways but they still kept snagging and breaking their lines. It seems I was always fixing 2 poles at a time and then they started whining about various things. I said "All poles out of the water until all of them are ready!!" and just short of some colorful language. When all 4 fishing poles were finally ready my youngest casted and quickly caught a 3 inch fish. At this point their were more than 20 big fishes jumping full body out of the water and probably sticking their tongues out at us too. Then the next 3 all snagged their lines in the trees. My upper body felt like 500lbs! My eldest's friend was looking up in the tree and said "Don't worry I'm not trying to catch a fish, I'm catching squirrels". I haven't laughed that hard in a long time. My eldest said "Oh look, my brothers are decorating the tree with bobbers and it is almost Christmas you know". I couldn't tie anymore line if I wanted with tears of laughter in my eyes. I let go and let God. So with the riverbank tree decorated for Christmas, a 3 inch fish caught, no squirrels caught and a half a tub of worms left behind we headed out with enough to laugh about all the way home. That river is not so bad and it kind of felt like we were fishing in Louisiana somewhere. Next time I'll bring a radio and listen to the blues. I'd like to push the "Let go and let God" button more often in life. It's a challenge though. In the end, that was just as good as if they caught a big fish each. I'm also thankful that I only spent $35 that weekend too.-CoolBreze

Pablo said...

Dear Cool Breeze,

I am sorry for not replying sooner, though we spoke in person about this comment, and my appreciating it.

Breeze, did you know insanity is inherited? We get in from our kids. :-> Thank you, for your transparency. You have my support.

That friend of your son was pretty funny. I'm sure it was just what you needed. It must of been a relief, letting go and letting God, when everything went haywire.

Having perspective helps us all. Thank you, for your story. It made my day when I first read it, and now, while revisiting it again.

I happy when you drop by, read and comment. It always makes my day!

The Innkeeper

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