Going, going, gone……….
‘Never hesitate to sacrifice today for what you can be tomorrow; never let a comfortable today be a stumbling block to a perfect tomorrow.’
The letting go of habits, memories, people brings the Bard’s ‘parting is such a sweet sorrow’ to mind. Will assume that his context was the separation of people yet I think it holds good for other things too, tangible or otherwise.
Letting go is the hardest thing, whatever be it - poison or nectar.
Most of the time, the reasons are good. They might range from things that you should not have done in the first place to things that you need to cut loose from coz its for the best.
Reminds me of a scene from Heat (1995). Robert de Niro – chief bad guy – tells chief sidekick Val Kilmer, “Do not have any attachments, do not have anything in your life you are not willing to walk out on in 30 seconds flat if you spot the heat around the corner.” His context was falling in love and being hunted by cops not generally going together as a lifestyle.
That line, strangely, has stuck with me over ten years now.
Not that I am a ruthless, will-climb-over-anyone sorts (in fact, I lean very heavily in the other direction) but there is wisdom in that line, so what if it comes from Hollywood ! Its about letting go; doing the right thing; seeing the forest in spite of ‘em trees: holding lightly to things…….
Sometimes, trying to explain certain statements are like trying to explain a joke. It takes away all the sting. They are meant to be tasted, chewed – if worth chewing – and digested to the satisfaction of the beholder/ be-reader / be-hearer. Yet I persist, probably for my sake more than anyone else’s.
Chances are that hindsight, being 20-20, would have us ponder one of two basic thoughts regarding a particular letting go :
• Am so thankful I let go when I did. Life has blossomed since for all involved.
• It was painful, it was necessary but I wonder, how would have it all turned out eventually if I hadn’t let go?
We clutch onto fruit forbidden coz they are like soft pillows at night; comforting, in spite of gentle reminders by that still small voice telling us to let go.
I tend to think with an either/or philosophy; black or white kinda, although I will be the first to admit that my life does not necessarily reflect that in all the decisions I have made. At most times, I do realize that I cannot have the cake and eat it too yet boy, do I try !! Hypocrisy? Maybe. Frail human being? That’s probably a more comfortable truth.
Change is constant. The art of letting go will always be that, an art. Simply because it’s the first of the conjoined twins that comes out of the womb.
The other one is named ‘moving on’
C.
Brilliant! Move on..no critic will be able to stick on to this piece for sure! Letting go really requires some amount of courage to let go of things and will to meet up the new..this is a part of life, but really painful..will honesty count, don’t know
the art of letting go/ moving on is not something universal. its a cultural thing I beleive. if you are in the west letting go is easy as thats what is taught from the early days, but thats not exactly the case in the east. moving on is difficult in the east, and that is connected to one’s honour. you can trace it to the history of samurais, to the honor killings in the east.
@Allen, interesting angle that. Maybe that is why I find it so difficult, being a Samurai
All said and done, though, I think its a must-do for progress, internally and externally.
not letting go is a kind of action which happens because of the human nature of not accepting the facts, the inertia to change and the prejudiced view about things around you. I don’t know how you come up with these topics! in this time-lacking world, unless you are chauffer driven to work and back I doubt how you find time..!
Awesome post! Your writing makes one think and strikes unknown cords. It is difficult to let go. Sometimes it doesn’t even make sense. But we still hold on. Willingly and unwillingly… I think I am beginning to ramble and hence must stop!
PS: Loved these lines:
“Sometimes, trying to explain certain statements are like trying to explain a joke. It takes away all the sting.”
@Bryan, Ashley, high praise coming from you two !! My chauffeur is thrilled….
now I know how my father-in-law felt, more than a decade ago!
Someone told me once, “Always have music and books in your life.”
I say to you, “Always keep writing, my friend. It’s a pleasure reading you.”
@M, sound advice you’ve received.
Thanks a ton for the encouragement, keeps me going !
No, thank you C. Keep ‘em coming !
“The art of letting go will always be that, an art” Brilliant Cris. Totally worth my stolen 10 minutes of surfing while on the job
Megha
Welcome back Megha.
Glad you liked this piece !!