Have you ever had to say goodbye to something or someone? It is difficult- to say the least. You either don't know what to say because it might be awkward: "See you later! ... Adios.... Bye... Have a good day." are all excellent options, but what if you won't see that person later. Sad. What if they don't know Spanish or they don't want you to command them how they should life (that's just a joke).
These goodbyes might be hard, but the really difficult goodbyes are when you have to let something or someone go. This might mean saying bye to your childhood pet, the dog that was there for you through the thick and thin.
You might have to say goodbye to the place that you have come to love (whether it's a place you call home or a place that you were able to vacation or belong for a while).
You might have to say goodbye to a loved one: a significant other, friend, or family member. That is not easy at all, but it might be inevitable.
You might even have to say goodbye to some of your material posessions (either by choice or loss). Sometimes we need to simplify our wardrobes, choose to give to someone else who might need them more than we do, or we might misplace items.
What makes saying goodbye so heart wrenching? All of the memories attached to that person or thing.
I know that it's hard for me to get rid of many objects because they hold sentimental value! Yet, sometimes we need to let go of certain things. As humans, we only need so much and can handle only so much.
So, is it time for you to let go of something? Let go of items that you bought and no longer need. Let go of some things in your schedule that allow you to feel less rushed or overwhelmed. Let go of relationships that don't fill you up or give you life.
Don't get me wrong; there are times when you need to face the fact that relationships have struggles, and you need to work through them. You also should remember that everything you've been given is a blessing, so you don't have to let go of them. But sometimes, we do need to make the tough decision to prune aspects of our lives.
If you have a hard time letting go, then ponder this:
1) Are you willing to fight?
If that thing you're letting go is something your really want, you will fight for it. If you would not be willing to struggle for it, then letting go of it is probably easier than you think.
2) How can you best care for yourself?
If you let someone go, it might hurt, but are you willing to accept the pain of that loss in exchange for the pain that they cause in your life? Sometimes in order to take care of yourself, you need to reflect on who will help you take better care of yourself. Perhaps they will reflect on their actions and reconcile their relationship with you. Letting go can benefit your relationship in the future.
3) When is it okay to let go?
If you're facing the loss of a loved one due to death, then you don't have the choice to make, unfortunately. Instead, you can ask yourself: in what ways is it okay to let go? How can you allow yourself to let go of that person so that you can feel healthy?
In the end, we can be thankful for the people and the things that have taken root in our lives because there are good memories attached to each of them. Otherwise, they would have been long gone from your life. But, everything has its time and its season in life.
In the end, we can be thankful for the marvelous memories we have with each thing and person. It is a blessing to have to say goodbye even though it might be difficult. Rest assured, you are making room to greet the next thing that will come your way.
