Letting Go

I am currently reading The Four Agreements by don Miguel Ruiz.  My niece recommended this book to me, so she and I are reading it together and sharing our thoughts along the way.  The book is very interesting.  Basically, there are four simple tools (agreements) we can use and should be using to help enhance our lives.

Being that I started this book about four days ago, I am nearing the end and came across a sentence that gave me pause.  I had to stop reading and really give thought to the sentence so much so, I decided to write about it.  The sentence reads:  letting go of the past means you can enjoy the dream that is happening right in front of you.

I will be the first to admit that I have struggled with letting go.  For me, the past has sometimes felt like a dark cloud hanging over my head.  I struggled with letting go of my anger and frustration at what I felt was unfair treatment.  I wanted to wish bad on all those who have done or said unkind things to me as a child or young adult. 

However, as time has passed, I have spent many days learning how to regulate my emotions, properly make peace with my past and finding better ways to manage my life.  I have found letting go not be such a struggle anymore.  Reading this sentence reminded me of how hard I wrestled with letting go.  But it also reminded me of just how far I have come in no longer allowing my past to define my future.

There was I time when I truly believed that my hard heart would never soften and that I would struggle with my emotions forever.  Yet today, those struggles seem to be so far gone, when in reality, they are not that far in my past.  I have learned to enjoy the things I love.  I spend quality, meaningful time with my family and friends.  I have made my life a priority and in return, I am rewarded greatly.

So, I guess I can say that I am enjoying the dream that is happening right in front of me.