Monday, April 09, 2007

Letting go

How many times have you been told, "Just let it go"? How easy has it been for you to do that? It's probably easier for some things and harder for others. I wonder why. Recently I've been through one of those experiences, and let me tell you this experience hurt me like there's no tomorrow. Just thinking about it stings my heart. My emotions tell me I'm right, my mind would love to agree, I doubt that it does.

As an aside, if there is anyone I've caused this kind of pain to, please accept my sincerest and humblest apologies. It was never my intention to do that. I realise it comes off as cold comfort, but it's all I can offer (e-mail me if you feel different).

Carl Sagan once said, "Where we have strong emotions, we're liable to fool ourselves". It's a true statement, but I wonder if in this instance I am fooling myself or not.

In any case, I keep telling myself to 'let it go', to just let it pass through. This is easier said than done. Why? Well, if I can borrow from my previous post, then it seems likely that this thought process of mine mentally resonates in a stronger way than other thoughts, overpowering them.

So how does that, in fact help us? Well, one way it helps us is to find other pathways to activate. That is, do other things that help us make the more productive thoughts grow in intensity. In fact, this is what is suggested for most people when they're mired in the pit of an emotional down.

This means that if you're hurting, then you need to do things that reduce the hurt. This is as true physically as it is emotionally. Do not dwell on the things that hurt you emotionally. How? Well, focus on other things. Focus on the things that you've always wanted to do and try to do them.

I know, this is easier said than done. I doubt there is much in life that's easier done than said if it's worth doing. I know that it's hard for me to do, there's just so much sometimes that feels like it needs to come out. However, I suspect that part of the process of growing up (and even adults grow up) is learning to deal with this type of problem.