“Let it go.” You hear this advice all the time. Anything that causes disappointment, anger, frustration, sadness… “let it go” becomes the simple, well-meaning mantra.
I’m terrible at letting go. Of anything. I hoard mental detritus like an obsessive collector.
A few months ago, I read an article that said “let it go” is really a misinterpretation of the Buddhist philosophy “let it be.” (The Beatles had it right.)
“Let it be” means simply accepting a thing as it is. A relationship, a mistake, an opportunity missed. Let it be.
“Let it be” enabled me to cut someone I was once very close with out of my life for good, because keeping her in it wasn’t healthy for me.
“Let it be” enabled me to see clearly the professional path I no longer have interest in following. The road ahead isn’t so clear, yet knowing where I want to go is the opening of a new path forward.
“Let it be” enabled me to fight through a couple cycles of pretty heavy depression. “Let it be” enabled me to push past the dark voices in my head.
“Let it be” enabled me to accept my imperfections (there are a lot of them) and stop beating myself into the darkness (see above) while obsessing over them.
“Let it be” enabled me to stop caring so much about other people’s opinions of me and the way I live my life. My happiness is more important than your opinion.
The glow of a new year fades quickly. The routines and drudgery of everyday life take over in an instant. I don’t know where I’ll be a year from now, personally or professionally. I’m facing some major decisions. Yet I know who I am and what I want, and I’m hell-bent on getting there.
Happy New Year
Let it be.
