I’m sure when a number of you hear the phrase “Letting Go” you can think instantly of something you need to let go, something you have let go, or something you wish you could let go. Maybe you need to let go of feelings or emotions from something that may have happened in your past, such as a former relationship that just did not work out. Or- maybe it is something materialistic you need to let go, such as that pair of shoes you know you really want at that store, but just can’t afford right now. Or it could even be that junk that just sits in your basement that you’ve had for years, just taking up space that you know you need to get rid of, but you “just can’t.” It could even be trying to let go of something that a friend, family member, or significant other said to you earlier that morning that hurt your feelings—or made you mad, that you just can’t stop thinking about.

Letting go of emotions, things, thoughts, people, etc that have occurred in your past, and may happen in the future that you can’t for see yet, takes a certain inner strength, and training of your mind. When we often think of “Letting Go” we instantly say to ourselves “I can’t”. However, what is really preventing you from letting go? When we instantly start off saying can’t, we automatically have set ourselves up not to succeed preventing us from moving forward. Are the simple words “I can’t” the only thing stopping you from letting go? Try saying “I can”. Those two words are powerful. Having a positive outlook, thought process, and belief that you can, will ultimately determine your outcome success. As individuals, and I know I include myself in this at times in my life, tend to resort to the simple way of resolving things, and even sometimes use the simple way to get to things, and to get things done. However, do we grow mentally, emotionally, spiritually, and physically by taking the simple way EVERY time? Probably not. The only way be grow as individuals is by challenging ourselves. For some of us, our mind is our biggest challenge. Being able to control those negative thoughts and turning them into positive thoughts is not only powerful, but life changing.

You see, we will always have trouble in our lives. We will always have something to let go. We will always have something we wish we could just forget. When one problem is resolved and we think YES life is good!... Another problem will happen, whether it be 30 days from now or 5 minutes from now. How we react to our problems, issues, and things we need to let go, determines our happiness and success in life. If you failed a huge college exam in your past and hold on to those thoughts, those thoughts will most likely carry with you to the next exam, and you will develop extreme fear/anxiety, and think you can’t succeed. Maybe you have had a bad relationship in the past that you can’t seem to let go, you do not understand why it ended or why you are still single. You may carry negative thoughts with your next relationship, which could be potentially detrimental due to the fact that a future relationship is not your past relationship... use your inner strength and LET GO. GET RID OF THOSE NEGATIVE THOUGHTS AND START TELLING YOURSELF, YOU CAN. You will begin to realize the more comfortability you have with life and adverse events that may occur.  Letting go does not mean you are forgetting your past, or forgetting the people or things you have come across in your life. Letting go means you are coming to terms with those things, people, and events that have occurred in your life. It means you are growing, challenging, and most of all strengthening yourself as an individual.

-MIchelle