Within the practice of mindfulness, the term “Let it go” (i.e. your thoughts, feelings, emotions, situations) is a common theme that comes up quite a bit.

It makes sense when we think of it in the context of being an observer with less attachment to our thoughts, feelings, outcomes.

But I’ve bumped up against this wording lately.

I’ve found when I think, “I have to let it go”, there is a part of me trying to figure out, “But how do I let it go?”, “What should I do?”

To let it go, there is an idea that something has to be done and there is a part of me wanting to gain control.

Right now, I choose to say, “Let It Be”.

A slight difference in words and a big difference in my experience.

Let It Be feels softer to me.

It also means I can be kind to myself when I have an intense emotion or situation.

There is nothing wrong with me or my experience. There is simply a part of me that is feeling a feeling.

When I think, “Let it be” my body relaxes.

There’s a relief - phew! I can just let it be. I don’t have to figure this out.

I recently had an experience where I was at home working, doing my thing and out of the blue an intense emotion came to the surface. There was no rhyme or reason to it.

Now, my ego-mind is the one that wanted to figure out – ‘What the heck is going on?’. It wanted to shut it all down.

But I didn’t listen or try to shut it down. I ‘let it be’. I was kind and gentle with myself. I breathed into it. It continued all day and I continued to let it be.

The next morning there was a huge shift. I felt amazing. Lighter. Very clear.

Something within me was ready to let go and I allowed it to do its thing...by letting it be.

Rather than personalizing it, or over-analyzing it, and without trying to figure it out, I became clear on where the emotion came from. The answer came to me spontaneously.

I didn’t have to get into a story about it. It was a releasing and letting go. It just was.

What if, by changing our approach to, ‘Let It Be’ we are setting the groundwork to ‘Let It Go’?

By letting it be, the emotion was able to let go – on its own terms. And as a result, there is now more space for me to experience the Truth of who I am. Peace, love, contentment.

Try this check in:
When a big emotion, stress-filled thinking, or a difficult situation comes up,
How does it feel when you think ‘Let it Go’?
How does it feel when you think ‘Let it Be?’
Are you noticing anything in the body or mind?

Be gentle with yourself. Choose to be present, take care of yourself, and trust that a shift will happen - when it’s ready.

And remember, you have everything within you to handle this. You are strong. You are resilient. You are perfectly imperfect.

Until next week,

Diane