We know the only constant in our lives is change. There is a natural rhythm to the sun, moon, earth and sky. If you look to nature and the cycles of life, we know that there is beauty in the change of seasons.
In the Fall our earth reminds us that it’s a time to shed and release. Winter brings a time of quiet contemplation. During the Spring we experience a rebirth and renewed energy. Summer is full as we soak in the sun, long days, and abundance around us.
As we move through our lives, there are natural cycles as well. Ayurveda philosophy teaches us that throughout the stages of our lives we require different lifestyle choices (food, exercise, rest) in order to bring us balance. Our bodies, minds, and spirits are nourished by our acceptance and fluidity with the cycles that we are experiencing.
If we look back to the person we were five, ten, fifteen, twenty years ago, compared to who we are today, we are likely different. Our views have changed. What we value might be slightly different. How we want to spend our time and with whom has evolved.
So why is it that we try to continue to maintain relationships that no longer serve us in this season of life?
As we change and evolve, often the people who we connect with and want to spend time with may change and evolve as well. Yet, we hold on.
We hold on to the experiences we had with a person. An experience that might have been highly meaningful at the time but has changed over time. We hold on because we may not want to accept that we are a different person now, that what served us at one point in our lives is no longer serving us now.
There is beauty in trusting the cycles and seasons of life.
When we honor where we are today, in this moment in time, we begin to see what we need and no longer need in our lives.
As we become more aware, there may come a time when we realize it is time to let a relationship go. As we honor our needs in this and every moment, we allow ourselves to recognize when shedding or releasing people, things, and memories will be in our best interest.
It’s not an easy thing to do.
If you’ve ever let go of a friendship, lover, or family member, you know how hard it is to do. Releasing people from your life is one of the most challenging things we can be faced with.
As we let go, we are creating space in our lives. Just as the leaves need to fall in autumn in order to grow anew in the spring, we can’t continue to expand into our best selves if we are holding on instead of evolving.
Pema Chodron eloquently stated that, “Nothing ever goes away until it has taught us what we need to know.”
The beauty in letting go is that we free ourselves of the attachment and are able to reap the benefits of the life lesson. As we reflect on what it is that we are shedding, we can take what we’ve learned with us and grow even stronger.
Just as a flower slowly loses it’s petals before a new bud can emerge, we can’t expand into our best Self if we are holding on to something that is ready to be released.
What is standing in your way of living your best Self? What are you ready to release and let go of in order to create space?