The Power of Letting Go

“Courage is the power to let go of the familiar.”

- Raymond Lindquist

Recently, I read an excerpt from writer/comedian Steve Harvey's new book on relationships, Straight Talk, No Chaser, in which Steve described how his mother taught him a valuable lesson about the power of letting go. In his pre-fame days, Steve saved for a new car. His old vehicle had long died, yet it was still in his parent's driveway on cinder blocks because he didn't want to let it go. Unfortunately, his search for the “just right ride” didn't go as planned. After a few weeks, he expressed his frustration to his mother. Her advice was simple: Get rid of the old car – which served no purpose – in order to make room for a new blessing.

How often do we hold on to things that no longer serve a purpose?

Clothes we haven't worn in years; ghosts from boyfriends' past; jobs that are no longer fulfilling. It's impossible to pack new clothes into an overflowing closet, launch a new romance with previous-relationship baggage still lingering, and secure your dream job if you won't seek the one that you deserve. The same goes for friendships; sometimes they're meant to last a lifetime, but as people grow and change, relationships may shift. Or perhaps your “friend” has hurt you repeatedly, yet you won't let go.

As you continue on your path to live purposefully, ask yourself, “What do I ultimately want my life to be?” Perhaps what you hold dear no longer serves a purpose, and may actually block you from achieving what you most desire. Also ask, “Does this relationship/job/etc. really serve me?” And further, “Does it facilitate my growth?” If not, why are you still participating in it? Sometimes we have to let go in order to make room for what teaches us new things or challenge us in ways that we never thought possible.

I realize that the aforementioned examples are ones of choice. But life is full of uncontrollable situations, so the decision to let go may not be ours, such as lost jobs, foreclosures and divorce. As hard as these situations can be, I still believe that, “When one door closes, a window opens.” This may be hard advice to swallow at first, but over time you'll find your way, regain the essence of what you've lost, and have “more” than you had before.

I'm currently perplexed by a situation that has me wondering if it's time to let go. But I've experienced this before and somehow, the end results are always better than what I had previously. This is true because when we're forced to say goodbye to one thing, we're being called to do another. If you are at a crossroads that requires you to let go, I sincerely wish the same for you.

What do you need to let go of in order to receive your new blessings?