Moments come. Moments go. Life is a flowing unfolding. A seamless stream of moments for us to experience. Some are “good” some are “bad”. These descriptions are based on our interpretation of what is good and bad usually based on our feelings at the time.

Some moments leave more of an impression on us than others. Like big life moments such as seeing your child for the first time or your first kiss, or painful moments like loss of a loved one or seeing your child cry over their first heartbreak. These moments because of their powerful emotional component, stronger emotional content, leaves what we call a lasting impression on the brain. This happens because of the amygdala, which brain imaging studies have shown is activated by emotional events. The amygdala boosts memory encoding by enhancing attention and perception, and can help memory retention by triggering the release of stress hormones, such as adrenaline and cortisol.

What we deem beautiful memories that make us feel happy and joyous, we easily want to keep and treasure. Logical. The more difficult memories, the painful memories of loss, disappointment, betrayal, etc. They are the ones we want to forget, but often seem to be the ones that pop-up unexpectedly or become the event that creates a “shadow”, limiting belief or mind-set, or distorted view of self.

“Suffering is not holding you. You are holding suffering. When you become good at the art of letting sufferings go, then you’ll come to realize how unnecessary it was for you to drag those burdens around with you. You’ll see that no one else other than you was responsible. The truth is that existence wants your life to become a festival.” — Osho

In my experience, it has been the not letting go of painful memories that created my suffering. Through the retelling and living of the emotional scars, injustices and perceived injustice, I became the victim and maybe I was. But by replaying the loop, I extended my suffering from the past into my now. Somewhere along the way, I learned to let go. Does that mean I do this perfectly? No. I still have things surprise me and unwanted guests from the past show up knocking. I am thankful for the ability we all have to transmute those moments into treasures.  It is through those moments that I grew in compassion, wisdom, strength, understanding and personal power.

A prisoner cannot set another free. A healer must walk the path of healing. Like Harriet Tubman once she escaped slavery, she went back again and again to set other captives free. This is the heart of a healer, this is my heart. The drum within me says, learn to let go, so you can show others how to be free.

 “I freed a thousand slaves I could have freed a thousand more if only they knew they were slaves.” — Harriet Tubman

The universe gave me this analogy regarding letting go of the past, I will share it with you. It is like eating a meal.  When we eat the food.  It may taste delicious or horrible.  We swallow and digest the food.  The body receiving the nutrients it needs.  Every food provides the needed nutrient.  Then once we have received all the food had to offer us, we eliminate it.  If we don’t, we become constipated, crampy, bloated, and eventually sick.  It is not good for our bodies to hold onto shit.  Literally and figuratively. We are made to glean all we are supposed to, process it and let it go. It is when we hang on, that we create soul sickness.

Are you thinking, that is great, but you don’t know what I have been through or I have already let go of so much, but I can’t let go of that, or I thought I let it go, but there it is. I can relate to all these thoughts and feelings.  It is a process and not always easy. Letting go takes courage. I do not mean to minimize anyone’s life experience or personal pain, but only hope to help others find greater freedom and joy.  Sometimes we need assistance in letting go; like seeing a therapist, talking with a close friend, getting Reiki or energy healing, there are many modalities and support available.  Find what works for you.

If you have questions about the tools that I use personally to help me let go. Please reach out to me through email, I am here for you.

Namaste