Wednesday, July 04, 2007

Being Truly Free




There is tremendous freedom in letting go. It is liberation to free ourselves of things that clutter our lives; too many possessions, useless emotions, unhealthy habits, old beliefs, even people that drain our energy. All of these things and more can weigh us down. Every once in awhile it's good to "clean out our closets" literally and figuratively.

Like pruning dead branches or like a snake shedding an old skin, we need to let go of the what no longer serves or what no longer fits, so that there is room for something new, alive, and what is needed at this time in our lives. Yet, we are a possessive society. We often hold on to things, feelings, and relationships out of habit or, many times, out of fear of being without. For so much of learning to let go is about learning to trust. We have to be able to trust that, indeed, new branches will grow, that there is a new skin under the old one. And yet, to the degree that we are willing to let go, we are able to receive. When we stop holding on and clinging to anything, we realize we have everything.

For in reality, we really own nothing. Certainly, we don't own people. Our spouse, boyfriend, girlfriend, children are not really "ours." Even if we own the title to our house or car, such possessions can be gone in a moment, taken by a natural disaster, an accident, or financial circumstances. Tanjong Tokong residents could not grasp our government concept of “owning the land”, anymore than one can own the sky.

For everything belongs to the universe, as even we do. When we allow ourselves to rethink our sense of "ownership," it is easier to let go. We no longer need to feel burdened by the responsibility of having to hold on to something. Rethink the value of a prized book collection, a coveted job, and feelings for an old flame. Perhaps it isn't necessary to physically get rid of something, but letting go of the power that a person, ideology, or material object possesses is truly freeing.

So, is there anything or anyone in your life that you need to let go off?

21 comments:

UglyButAdorable said...

I'm learning to let sumthings go..

Anonymous said...

Ok..I'm letting go of something in a second...here it is...wait for it........*puuuuuutttttttttt*....aaaah, that's better! hee hee

Anonymous said...

"we don't own people" ... that's something someone i dealt with yesterday had yet to learn despite being 50+

- guile - said...

I had once learnt to let go of an old flame. I had learnt to let go of some values that I perceive as important to me. But now, I'm in a situation that I cannot (or maybe I do not want to) let go of someone I love dearly - physically and out of my life. I just can't, when I truly believe that it is only the obstacle of life that we both are facing. I believe that if I let this one go, it is a mistake. A mistake that perhaps, by going through this rough moments would make me a better person. Another perspective is if I let this one go, it would also make me a better person in a different way, but I lose my better-half.

ytxis said...

I have a few la babe. How eh? Can we start with letter A first? Jap...what's her name?

Angel Eyes said...

I won't let you go huney

Letting go of someone means that we're moving on with life. Yes, left the old flame years before. I know it's not easy, nothing comes easy sweetie. But with full of courage, you will.

Yours Truly ... XOXO said...

hmm... i love everything i have lah...;P but i've always wanted to give half my wardrobe away to charity...but i dunno how... ;P spiritually i need to 'let go' this hatred i've been keeping inside for some people... thehehe cool topic btw... and tnx for the recipe! ;P

EDDY PURNAMA said...

yup...kadang2 in life you feel as though that your job owns you kan...and all the debts and hutang bank...

sigh...suddenly feel like listening lagu freedom

katakbesar said...

eddy..
how about Freedom's 'Jauh Di Rindu' and 'Babak Cinta Terakhir'
hehe.. i lurrvvve them..

cosmic..
even though we did 'let go'
it will surely keep coming back.. once in a while.. just like you said

probably, the best is..
'let it be'

:)

akula said...

None, Always letting go of something all the time. Old flames, places that I lived before, friends etc.

suzequatro said...

i need to let go off my sadness..

Leen AshBurn said...

How to let go if you dont own them at the first place? *grins*.

Cosmic_GurL said...

UBA - Good for you..Buang yang keruh, ambil yang jernih :)

anonymous - Gross!

Alex - Oh dear! Your boss?

guile - Hmm...ure in a very tricky situation...exercise your judgment then..if u think it's a mistake to let him go then hold on to him. But make sure it's what both of you wanted. Tak guna bertepuk sebelah tangan

ytxis - Amboi! amboi! ramainyer spare part you..dr A sampai Z! :p

angel eyes - If you didnt let go of your old flame then you wouldnt have met your new one and the new one is so much better, kan? Hehehe...

yours truly - Byk tempat la blh give those clothes to...no prob abt the recipe..dah try?

eddy sparrow - yeah man! sometimes rasa cam nak stay in bed one whole month and tak nak pegi kerja but then again nanti kena makan pasir la plak end of the month..hehehe

katakbesar - Let it be? Hmmm..interesting concept :)

akula - Really? Keras jugak hati u ek? :)

suze - if u need to let go of your sadness then u but must hang out with "budak ifzan & dzu yang gila" more often :P

Leen - Aaahhh...you're catching on my young padawan..hehehe

Anonymous said...

whatever man....all i know is BRAD PITT is definetely mine.


:P

Cik Puan Sri Quzz said...

let go off?
too many to mention..but i prefer they could stay in the tiny spot in my heart, so that i can reminisce my stupidity once in a while....

Crash Test Mom said...

so if i see my link disappear from your link bar, i'll get the hint la ya. *sobs*

eh, ada lagi. heh heh..

cpj said...

tapi... tapi... it's so hard to let go.. damn hard tau.

Da Winged Acrophobic said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Da Winged Acrophobic said...

Gotta let go of myself. More like my SELF. So I'd think more of the others, and not so much of what they would think of me..... (maaf ya, had to delete the previous one due to too many spelling errors)

pugly said...

I wish I can let go of all those yummylicious goodies so that my body can let go of all those blubber.

Cosmic_GurL said...

Dzu - In your dreams, MAN!

missy - It's always good to be reminded of our mistakes once in a while...but must not dwell on it until we cant move forward because of it :)

shopper mom - NEVA!! Ure one of my favourite blogger and friend darling! :P

cikpijah - nobody said it was easy my dear but we have to try :)

WA - So it's important for you to be loved and liked then?

pugly - Hahaha! I think every woman wishes for that