To hold, you must first open your hand. Let go. ~Lao Tzu
Pick up a pencil or pen. Hold it in the palm of your hand. Now close your had around the pencil and start to squeeze it tightly. Hold on real tight. As you are tightly holding on to that pencil notice the tension in your hand, arm, shoulder and even the rest of your body. Notice the tension in your jaw and face the harder you squeeze and "hold on" to that pencil. You might even notice you have been holding your breath.
Now, relax your grip. Allow your hand to open up. Release the tight grip you had on the pencil. Just allow the pencil to be there in the palm of your hand. Roll it a round a little as you begin to notice the tension releasing from your hand, your arm, your shoulder and the rest of your body. Notice your jaw and face relaxing. Maybe even notice how your breathing has changed.
Roll that pencil around some more in the palm of your hand. Now gently open your fingers and let the pencil fall to the floor. Just let it go.
Pretty easy to do, right? I mean its just a pencil that you let go of.
Pick it up and gently hold it again. Close your fingers gently around the pencil so it won't fall out but there is also no tension. You are just being there with the pencil… no tension… just present. Knowing that you can choose… to hold on to that pencil, or whatever it is you are holding on to… in any way you want.
You can grip it so hard you create tension and un-ease in your entire body. Or you can choose to hold on in an easy, effortless way, without any tension. You can just be present, in the moment and notice how many more choices and options you now have when you are relaxed and open.
So just let it go and be free.
Today is a beautiful day. Can you let it go? Would you let it go? When?
Reflections
Love is letting go of fear. ~Gerald Jampolsky
Nothing is softer or more flexible than water, yet nothing can resist it. ~Lao Tzu
Courage is the power to let go of the familiar. ~Raymond Lindquist
There's an important difference between giving up and letting go. ~Jessica Hatchigan
Breathe. Let go. And remind yourself that this very moment is the only one you know you have for sure. ~anon
Think about any attachments that are depleting your emotional reserves. Consider letting them go. ~Oprah Winfrey
(See also the Aug 19, 2010 note on Aug 19 Releasing and Letting Go)
