Have you ever been told you need to “Let Go” or to, “Stop trying to control everything!”? If so, you’re probably one of many people who, like me, are ‘Type A’ personalities. We like to be in charge, to do our best and stay on top of things. We’re great achievers, but sometimes we work so hard to ensure success that we end up stressed, overwhelmed and controlling.
We only hold on tightly because we fear what will happen if we don’t. Controlling everything may seem like the right thing to do to ensure success, but there are downsides too. When we control we tend to look for faults and flaws – and we stop seeing what’s good and great. We end up disempowering others – because we don’t want to delegate. We get stressed and overwhelmed – because everything has to be perfect. We spend all our time hiding our faults instead of accepting ourselves and get stuck in an endless cover-up. Essentially, when we try to control everything, we stop enjoying life.
I’m not saying the things we’re holding onto aren’t noble and good. Renovating our homes, raising money for charity, birthday parties for loved ones, getting a promotion. It isn’t about WHAT you’re doing – it’s about how you feel, and how you make others feel. If you’re feeling tense and constricted most of the time, if others find it hard to relax around you, it’s time to “let go” (just a little).
Letting go feels good – spacious and light. And there’s often a wonderful sense of release or relief too. The poem below was originally credited to Louise Hay, but I later discovered it was written by Robert Paul Gilles Jr. I hope this poem helps and inspires you as it did me – thank-you Robert!
To “Let Go” Takes Love
To “let go” does not mean to stop caring, it means I can’t do it for someone else.
To “let go” is not to cut myself off, it’s the realization I can’t control another.
To “let go” is not to enable, but to allow learning from natural consequences.
To “let go” is to admit powerlessness, which means the outcome is not in my hands.
To “let go” is not to try to change or blame another, it is to make the most of myself.
To “let go” is not to care for, but to care about.
To “let go” is not to fix, but to be supportive.
To “let go” is not to judge, but to allow another to be a human being.
To “let go” is not to be in the middle arranging all the outcomes, but to allow others to affect their own destinies.
To “let go” is not to be protective, it is to permit another to face reality.
To “let go” is not to deny, but to accept.
To “let go” is not to nag, scold or argue, but instead to search out my own shortcomings and correct them.
To “let go” is not to adjust everything to my desires, but to take each day as it comes and cherish myself in it.
To “let go” is not to regret the past, but to grow and live for the future.
To “let go” is to fear less and love more.
By Robert Paul Gilles Jr. This poem is part of a collection copyrighted as “Thoughts of the Dreampoet – Volume 1”.
If you liked this, you’ll love:
- Shocking Truths – 10 Real-Life Signs That You’re Addicted to Perfectionism
- Be Happy for LIFE: Why Your Feelings Are More Important Than Goals!
and share with your friends and colleagues!
