All endings are inexorably tied to new beginnings. That’s the nature of the journey. It continues to unfold. It builds on itself. It can’t help itself from doing that. Cherish the moments, all of them. You have seen and felt much in life so far. But still, the best is yet to come.

Melody Beattie

Letting go is perhaps one of the most difficult challenges we face. Our egos easily and all too eagerly attach to things, people and outcome. Letting go of these attachments can be painful, particularly when we can’t see what’s ahead. I have always found the metaphor of a closed fist and open hand helpful; a closed fist represents our resistance to letting go, while an open hand symbolizes our willingness to embrace the present and future. Moving from a closed fist to an open hand is a process. It requires patience and the willingness to release what no longer serves us. The choice to let go allows us to follow the pathway of our soul.

Life is a series of things to let go of – our friends and loved ones, our children as they grow, our youth, the many roles that we play, our perceptions of ourselves. In my own life, I have found myself feeling moved to let go of circumstances where there is more struggle present in the situation than joy and happiness. We are at a point in consciousness – now more than ever – when our choices determine our experiences. And the truth is, we can choose to grow through pain and suffering or grow through joy.
As long as we keep an open hand (and heart), our experience of letting go is much less stressful. In fact, we can remain inspired to let go, knowing that we’re clearing the pathway for our soul to continue its journey and fulfill its destiny.

What do you need to let go of? Perhaps there is a self-limiting or destructive pattern that needs to be released or maybe you feel compelled to pursue a dream that requires letting go of the work you’re currently performing. You might be at a crossroads with your spiritual path or perhaps you’re feeling moved to start a new project. The important thing to remember is that no matter how daunting it may feel, you possess an inner strength and courage that is greater than any situation. Courage is about letting go and moving forward, not in the absence of fear, but in the presence of it.

Further, how many times have you closed one door only to find another door swing wide open – one that better resonates with your soul’s vibration? Each and every time I have been willing to release something that no longer serves me, another opportunity has been sent my way – always. And this is true for all of us. As long as we remain willing to reach beyond our comfort zones, to release our ego attachments and allow our light to shine, the universe will provide us with a cornucopia of opportunities.

When is it time to release? You have two choices; you can either try to hold on to the past with a closed fist or you can choose to embrace today with an open hand. As you already know, the former will cause you (and others) unnecessary pain and suffering, while the latter might trigger some fear of the unknown, yet provide rich, new experiences for your heart and soul. Which will you choose?

Affirmations for Letting Go

• The past is over; I plan for tomorrow and live for today.

• All my experiences are allowing me to become a stronger and wiser person.

• As I let go of attachments, I create room for fulfilling and soulful experiences.

• I let go easily for I trust that new and exciting opportunities are on their way.

• New beginnings are revealing themselves to me and I am hopeful and at peace.

Laura V. Hyde is the Spiritual Leader of the Unity Church of Five Cities in Central Coast California, a national author and speaker. Laura does spiritual counseling, is the author of “Gifts of the Soul” and “The Intimate Soul,” a facilitator of “A Course in Miracles” and the host of a show on Public Television. www.laurahyde.com