Monday, July 11, 2016

Letting Go

"Letting go gives us freedom, and freedom is the only condition for happiness. If, in our heart, we still cling to anything—anger, anxiety, or possessions—we cannot be free." Thich Nhat Hanh

What is worth giving up our freedom? Because that's what we do when we hang on or cling - to anything.

It happens to me often when I plan my day. I'll get to the office and have everything scheduled. I feel efficient. Competent. I tell myself I'm on top of things. I might even get done early.

Then a text or phone call or knock on the door about an emergency. And it's always something that is a genuine issue. Something that needs to be dealt with at that moment.

A client is misbehaving. Maybe we have a maintenance issue. Perhaps two staff members are fighting. Something small. Or something big. But it needs immediate attention because people are the important part of our mission.

And when I next look at the time a few hours have passed. When my plans didn't play out as I thought they should I'll start to get angry or irritable. But then I'm learning to let go. And I do. Then I'm free.

Today I realize that life unfolds as it's supposed to, just as a flower opens its blossoms to the morning warmth - just as it's supposed to.