More letting go

It's amazing how much "letting go" has been a theme for me recently. There are so many different aspects of letting go that I really need to work on.

Letting go of situations
Letting go of people
Letting go of fear
Letting go of the past
Letting go of control

I think that I've improved on the "fear" and "control" though I do still need to be in control of certain situations...I'm realizing that I can't be in control of everything. I also realize that not everything is on my time schedule so that I've let go of as well.

Letting go of people seems to be harder for me. I have always wanted to be liked by everyone and have always wanted to give people second (and third and fourth) chances. When someone hurts me I usually turn the other cheek. When someone doesn't want to be around me anymore, I have a hard time with that. I think as I get older though that's becoming easier too...why would I want to be around someone who doesn't want to be around me? Additionally, why would I want to be around someone who hurts me? Life is too short.

Letting go of the past...and I guess also situations...that's a tricky one. If a situation was bothersome it seems to stick to me. Typically situations are in the past (though sometimes it's upcoming situations that urk me). I dwell and all that does is upset me and make me dwell more and upset me more...such a terrible cycle. Rather than feeding that feedback loop, there needs to be a way to interrupt it. I think the best way to let go is to replace those past situations with more recent ones...unless the past situation continues to repeat itself and then I suppose you need to move from letting go of the past to letting go of people! Unless it's different people, same situation, in which lots of self work would need to be done.

As we are in the final month of the year, focusing on moving forward is good...but it needs to continue throughout the year. It's a housekeeping of sorts. I'm packing up my office at work because we're getting some new carpet. I'm recycling old things that I don't need anymore and have no idea why I held onto in the first place. The same thing needs to be done to some memories and yes even people who are a part of our lives. It may be difficult and sad, but in order for new things to happen you need to move forward...that's the trick to remember most I suppose.

*edit*
A few minutes after posting this a friend posted this image on facebook...so I'm not alone with my thinking