Take Action to Honor Letting Go

The yoga classes continue to journey through the concepts related to letting go. First, we attempted to define letting go and how it might be helpful. Next, we explored nature as a teacher for how to let go gracefully.

This week, we talked about rituals, practices, and actions we can take to help us let go more easily. While it may continue to be something we strive towards and grow into, we can all take steps towards the letting go process.

Rituals and Practices to Let Go

Let’s take an example most of us, if not all of us, can relate to. Death.

At some point in your life, someone close to you is going to die. It’s inevitable. Nobody lives forever.

And as prepared as we can be with that reality, it still hurts. Sometimes, it hurts a whole lot. It may even hurt for a very long time.

We want to be clear; we’re not minimizing death. We’re just pointing out that it’s a part of life. Rather than fight it, avoid it, or even make yourself sick from losing a loved one, can you honor the passing of your beloved person?

It can be healing to explore various rituals or practices for letting go. When someone dies, many times a tree is planted in their honor. Or gifts of charity are made in their name. “In lieu of gifts, at this time, the family asks that you make a monetary donation to… ”

So, taking this concept of honoring loss, can you find some ritual or practice that can help you process whatever it is you’re letting go of?

Letting Go in Action

In our previous post, I shared a bit about my experiences with the national holistic nursing organization. I openly wrote about how I was ecstatic to be elected president and how devastated I was to have only served in my presidential role for just three months.

I also honestly admitted how I have been still holding onto feelings of hurt, anger, pain, resentment, and frustration towards this group and the board members who broke confidentiality. Honestly, four years later, I’m still pissed off.

I still hold onto these feelings, and they don’t serve me. In fact, if I let them, they might even make me sick! I must let go.

And I have started to. In an effort to begin to let go, I spoke with the (retired) executive director of the organization. You know what she offered me? She wondered if I should write a letter to those board members who treated me with such hatred.

Talk about throwing it back in my face! (lol) I suggest these exact techniques to others when I am supporting them in their journey towards letting go.

So, that’s the first action step I am going to take. I am going to write letters to those people who broke confidentiality and treated me terribly.

Practices, Rituals, and Actions to Let Go

Now, with writing a letter to a person who’s done you wrong you have a choice. You can choose to send that letter. Or you can choose not to.

Here’s where a healing ritual can come into play.

If you decide not to send the letter, you can still use that unsent letter as a part of your healing process.

Rather than mailing it, you can light a fire. You can tear the letter up into tiny pieces. And you can burn the letter in the fire.

Stand silently with the burning fire. Watch the smoke from the letter lift off into the atmosphere. With that smoke, release yourself from the pain. Make a firm commitment (even if you have to speak out loud to yourself) that this is it. This is the action of letting go. You will no longer let this situation or these people impact your life ever again.

With that ceremony, you have let go. You have healed. You have taken a step in the right direction.

Letting Go is Inevitable

In closing, I’d like to shift gears a bit.

One of my yoga students admitted last week how during the winter they get sad. The longer nights and darker days make them feel gloomy. Every year the winter comes; every year they feel badly during those months.

Since our yoga program is focused on this topic, this student said they would take this opportunity to make a new plan. Rather than allow winter to come and feel moody about it, this student has said she will fill her time with positive, uplifting things.

She said taking yoga during the winter evenings will lift her mood. Other ideas? How about gathering up a bunch of books you’ve been putting off reading when you’re just too busy during the other times of year? Can you teach yourself a new still in the kitchen? Maybe take up knitting, sewing, or some other craft? Go to any thrift store and get yourself a few jigsaw puzzles?

Try to fill your time with uplifting, productive, and fun things even though the weather may be dark and cold.

Life happens. Seasons change. Loss is inevitable.

We have to grow through it, flowing with change.

What do you think? Have you had to let go of anything? If so, how did it go? Any other tips to add to the above??

And, of course, we’d love to see you in a future class! Check out our yoga schedule and sign up for a future program.

About the Author: Elizabeth Scala MSN/MBA, RN, RYT (200) is a holistic nurse, registered yoga instructor, and reiki master.

Elizabeth received her dual master’s degree from Johns Hopkins University. She is a certified coach, nature lover, and avid meditator.

Elizabeth lives in Maryland with her supportive husband and playful pups. She enjoys gardening, jigsaw puzzles, baking, music, and hiking.