Letting Go

In one of our endless and timeless chats, Sweety told me, "It's hard to deal with family, especially when they’re all old and complain a lot :)" My immediate response was, "As we age, our opinions become more rigid. Letting go is the only way out."

As I thought more about it, a question arose: "Do we truly understand what letting go means? And what is its purpose?

Here’s what I came to understand: Letting go is the process of releasing attachment, control, or expectations tied to people, situations, or outcomes.

1. Releasing Emotional Attachment:

Letting go involves detaching emotionally from things that no longer serve you — whether it's a person, a past hurt, or an unfulfilled desire.

2. Acceptance:

It’s about accepting things and circumstances as they are, including those you cannot control. It’s not about changing or fixing them, but acknowledging and embracing them.

3. Forgiveness:

Letting go often requires forgiveness — whether of yourself or others. Holding onto grudges, guilt, or resentment can weigh heavily on the soul. Forgiveness frees you from these burdens, allowing emotional space for peace.

4. Moving Forward:

Letting go means allowing yourself to move forward. This could involve ending a chapter in your life — letting go of a relationship, a job, or even an outdated belief system — and making room for new opportunities and growth.

5. Surrendering Control:

It’s about releasing the need to control outcomes. Letting go is trusting the process and allowing things to unfold naturally, understanding that some things are simply beyond your influence.

6. Emotional Healing:

Letting go is an essential part of emotional healing. By releasing past pain, trauma, or unproductive patterns, you open the door to better emotional health and well-being.

7. Creating Space for Growth:

Ultimately, letting go creates space for personal growth, healing, and emotional freedom. It’s about embracing life’s uncertainties with openness, rather than being weighed down by them.

Letting Go may not be a new concept, but it is beautifully encapsulated in the Bhagavad Gita, verse 2.7:

Karmany evadhikaras te

ma phalesu kadacana

ma karma-phala-hetur bhur

ma te sango 'stv akarmani

You have a right to perform your prescribed duty,

but you are not entitled to the fruits of action.

Never consider yourself to be the cause of the results of your activities,

and never be attached to not doing your duty.

Some people misunderstand letting go as becoming cold or indifferent. But it’s not about shutting yourself off emotionally. The goal is to become unbothered, accepting, content and focused — staying cool in any situation rather than detached or cold.

Letting go allows us to be at peace with ourselves and the world, without getting lost in the chaos. It’s not about avoiding life, but about embracing it with a calm heart and mind.

As our conversation went on, Sweety handed me the "ultimate mission" with a serious tone, saying, "Hmm, keep reminding me not to become like that, okay? Hopefully, we're on the right track and will keep working towards it."

I just hope God gives me the grace, energy, and a bullhorn to keep reminding her every five minutes — because this mission feels like a full-time job!