...it wasn't meant for you

I read a quote this morning attributed to Buddha (though some argue it is not one of his) that had a great ending to it that read, "Let go of things not meant for you".  In yoga, we talk a lot about letting go of what you no longer need or what no longer serves you. But, sometimes, not only is this hard to do, we might even recognize that we don't want to.  Hanging onto "stuff" is comforting because it is familiar. So are the emotions attached to it.  Letting go also means we have to put in some work and we may not be ready or willing to do so.

But, if we reword this letting go of what no longer serves you to letting go of what wasn't meant for you, doesn't it seem easier?  Like, why would I want to hang onto someone else's stuff, right?!  Here's an example. Let's say Jane is having a really bad day and she takes it out on me saying really hurtful things.  The sadness or anger I may feel is mine, in a sense, because I feel it but since emotions are temporary...it isn't really mine, is it?  And because Jane is having the bad day are the repercussions of that really meant for me? I think not. I let go with the mantra "I do not have to feel this way" and let Jane own her own stuff.

I stumbled across the following piece of writing called "Let It Go" by T.D. Jakes.  I edited out portions so google if you want the full version...

"There are people who can walk away from you. And hear me when I tell you this! When people can walk away from you: let them walk. 

I don't want you to try to talk another person into staying with you, loving you, calling you, caring about you, coming to see you, staying attached to you. I mean hang up the phone. When people can walk away from you let them walk. Your destiny is never tied to anybody that left... 

People leave you because they are not joined to you. And if they are not joined to you, you can't make them stay. Let them go. And it doesn't mean that they are a bad person it just means that their part in the story is over. And you've got to know when people's part in your story is over so that you don't keep trying to raise the dead. You've got to know when it's dead. You've got to know when it's over. Let me tell you something. I've got the gift of good-bye. It's the tenth spiritual gift, I believe in good-bye. It's not that I'm hateful, it's that I'm faithful, and I know whatever God means for me to have He'll give it to me. And if it takes too much sweat I don't need it. Stop begging people to stay. Let them go!! If you are holding on to something that doesn't belong to you and was never intended for your life, then you need to . . . . . . . . LET IT GO!!! If you are holding on to past hurts and pains . . . . . . . . . LET IT GO!!! If someone can't treat you right, love you back, and see your worth . . . . . . . . LET IT GO!!! If someone has angered you . . . . . . . . LET IT GO!!! If you are holding on to some thoughts of evil and revenge . . . . . . . . LET IT GO!!! If you are involved in a wrong relationship or addiction . . . . . . . . LET IT GO!!! If you are holding on to a job that no longer meets your needs or talents . . . . . . . . . LET IT GO!!! If you have a bad attitude . . . . . . . . LET IT GO!!! If you keep judging others to make yourself feel better . . . . . . . . LET IT GO!!! If you're stuck in the past . . . . . . . . LET IT GO!!! If you are struggling with the healing of a broken relationship . . . . . . . . LET IT GO!!! If you keep trying to help someone who won't even try to help themselves . . . . . . . .LET IT GO!!! If you're feeling depressed and stressed . . . . . . . . LET IT GO!!! If there is a particular situation that you are so used to handling yourself and God is saying "take your hands off of it," then you need to . . . . . . . . LET IT GO!!! ..."

 
I love the line that says "don't keep trying to raise the dead"...why? Because your imagination can see how gruesome that would be so why would we allow our minds to hang out there? 

"Let go of things not meant for you." 
Okay.  Right?

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