“Letting go is the hardest asana. Life is about letting go: of every exhalation, of the day as we fall asleep, of our children as they grow up and leave home. When we resist letting go, we are resisting the flow of life itself. What can you let go of right now?”
– Judith Hanson Lasater, Ph.D., P.T.
May is such a pleasant month. We celebrate moms, spring is in its full glory, the Memorial holiday weekend always signifies the beginning of summer, and the warmer weather permits us to plant our gardens and participate in more outdoor activities.
For many of us this is also the season of letting go. I cannot think of May without
also thinking about all the upcoming graduations. Whether our children are just moving from one grade to the next, or graduating from high school or college, there are always those bittersweet feelings of watching our children grow. I will always see the little girl in both of my daughters, but I’m also so proud of how they have matured into strong, independent women.
This May brings with it a couple milestones for me. I signed the studio lease on May 1 of last year and I will never forget standing in this empty place by myself, butterflies in my stomach, taking long, slow, deep breaths and experiencing a whole gamut of feelings from fear to joy! Even though all of these conflicting emotions were flowing through me, I knew that letting go and taking this huge leap of faith was the right decision; I had absolutely, positively no regrets!
The second milestone happening this month is our oldest daughter, Nicole, wedding on May 30. This is an exciting time for the family. We love Dale, her fiancé, whom she has been with for over two years and is the perfect match for her, and we couldn’t be happier for both of them. But as much as we will be there on their wedding day to help celebrate their love and commitment to each other, I don’t doubt that there will be the emotions of letting go when she walks down that aisle.
Judith asks a poignant question, “What can you let go of right now?” Are you facing a graduation this spring or a wedding, maybe your kids are heading to summer camp for the first time? Do you need to let go of busyness in your life so that you have more free time to take care of yourself? Do you need a mental spring-cleaning by getting rid of anger or resentment that you have been holding on to far too long? And never underestimate de-cluttering your surroundings! Have you ever noticed how we can feel mentally lighter after a good thorough cleaning? Lots of clutter can zap our energy.
Letting go is not easy. In fact, Judith says it is the hardest asana (or posture).
But resisting can cause stagnation, so what can you let go of this spring that will help keep the flow of your life moving with grace.
Warmly,
Jan
