Just Let It Go Is Easy To Say

“Let It Go” often means “Get Over It”

And that’s not the most helpful thing to say.

I notice my clients will tell themselves, “I should be able to get over this” and then judge themselves harshly for being unable to do so. It’s not a matter of letting go, you would if you could.

When you move away from the confounding statement “Let It Go” then you can start to think about the idea of “Let It Be”. This changes everything.

“Let It Be”, recognizes that the mind may not let go and the problem may not go away, and it allows you to form a better relationship with what’s bothering you. Much more in tune with reality and the truth about brain functioning.

Ever tell yourself to stop doing something – it rarely works. In fact, the thought or emotion may come back at you with more intensity.

This is what mindfulness is all about, paying attention – without judgment – to what is happening in the present moment.

Try this next time you are judging yourself for not being able to “Let It Go”:

• Think of your mind as an ocean. Waves are affected by weather, our emotions can be blown around by winds of change and our troubled thoughts can create turbulence in our minds. If you go below the surface of the ocean you will notice calmer movement, you can achieve this with your mind.
• When you begin to feel anxious, take a moment to feel the breath in your body, breathe deep into your belly. Imagine your thoughts as waves, see them rise, linger and pass. Keep observing and breathing deeply and slowly. Try not to attach yourself to one particular sensation, thought or feeling – let it wash over you.

No One Said This Was Easy

This requires a high degree of discipline and focus but the well-being that can come of it is huge. It lets you come to terms with – the good, the wonderful and also the bad and ugly – without being completely destroyed by the experience.

This doesn’t mean that if your worries turn out to be justified that it will hurt any less, but it will keep you in charge of yourself and in touch with your common sense, just when you need it the most.

Tags: Let It Be, Mindfulness, Thoughts and Therapy

This entry was posted on Monday, November 29th, 2010 at 8:00 AM and is filed under Thoughts and Therapy. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.