Holding On

I have this funny habit of keeping things, empty jars, old items, phone boxes, receipts…all in the idea of ‘I might still find it useful sometime soon’. While you may think this post is about you holding on to something, actually, it is on the exact opposite – letting go.

So, some days ago, it was raining. I was in the house and the delivery guy had called my phone to receive a package. I grabbed my umbrella, held my phone, actually I was talking to another person over the phone. Irritated by the little stagnant water I might have to jump over while trying to open the umbrella. 

Then something came off. The umbrella couldn’t open well and I struggled with it for a while and then it opened but I had broken the spring that regulates the whole thing. I got back inside, unable to close the umbrella. It was still relatively new, big, and strong too. My impatience and attempt at juggling too many things at the same time caused this, I said to myself.

I wasn’t ready to discard it so; I spent the next five minutes trying to figure it out. I could see the spring was broken, damaged.

Out of frustration, I set it aside. Thinking about the raining days ahead without any umbrella then, a friend who was around at the time offered to give me a new one. Immediately, I was relieved. As expected, in kicked the old habit, ‘should I throw this away yet?’

Of course, I discarded it. I was aware of this flaw and my spontaneous act of keeping what is necessary and unnecessary around.

Sadly, a lot of us still hold on to things, relationships, and memories that are broken and possibly can’t be fixed. We hold on to what we feel can be redeemed when we know the truth deep down. While it’s great not to discard or give up on things, people, and whatever it is that we hold on to, it is also very important to know when to hold on or let go.

Today, I charge you to declutter your wardrobe, pantry, desk, and life maybe. You will be truthful to yourself and will see things clearly for what they are. You will have the strength to hold on if truly required, and to let go for something new to come in.

Love & Light,

TA