Spiritual & Inspirational Sunday November 1, 2009

Welcome to my Spiritual & Inspirational Sunday post. For over twenty-five years I have collected various spiritual and  inspirational quotes and messages. My hope is that when you read these, you will pause and reflect. Perhaps you will share this post with a friend who just so happens to be in need of reading what I am sharing today.

Beginning in 1983 when I heard or read something that was meaningful to me- inspired me- made me smile- touched my heart- I would jot it down in my book- a book of blank pages that is covered in a thin layer of a beige fabric with tiny pink roses and tiny white daisies. Over the years “my book of meaningful words” has gotten some wear and tear.  There are stains on it.  The corners are bent.  The fabric is fraying. Even so, that which I wrote in the book still speaks to me and will continue to speak to me for years to come.  It is from this little book that I write today’s post- To Let Go. Unfortunately, I did not write down the source. Although when I wrote this down I had never heard of Al anon, it does sounds similar to some al anon material I have read here and there in recent years. In case you are not familiar with Al anon,  it is the sister organization to AA or Alcoholics Anonymous. Al anon is for those whose lives has been affected by someone’s drinking. It can be the drinking of a spouse, child, mother, father, sister, brother, friend, boss, etc.   Blessings.  …susan

PS  If you happen to know the source, please contact me so I can note it. 

To Let Go…

to let go does not mean to stop caring, it means I can’t do it for someone else.

to let go is not to cut myself off, it’s the realization I can’t control another.

to let go is not to enable but to allow learning from natural consequences.

to let go is to admit powerlessness which means the outcome is not in my hands.

to let go is not to try to change or blame another, it’s to make the most of myself.

to let go is not to care for, but to care about.

to let go is not to fix, but to be supportive.

to let go is not to judge, but to allow another to be a human being.

to let go is not to be in the middle arranging outcomes, but to allow others to affect their destiny.

to let go is not to be protective, it’s to permit another to face reality.

to let go is not to deny, but to accept.

to let go is not to nag, scold, or argue, but instead to search out my own shortcomings and correct them.

to let go is not to adjust everything to my desires, but to take each day as it comes and cherish myself in it.

to let go is not to criticize and regulate anybody, but to try to become what I dream I can be.

to let go is not to regret the past, but to glow and live for the future.

to let go is to fear less and love more.

There are so many scenarios in which “to let go” can be applied. I especially found it helpful when my children married. I certainly did not want to be a meddling mother-in-law. The bottom line for me is the fact that I cannot control anyone’s behavior, choices, attitude, etc.  I need to let go and let God.  I need to keep my side of the street clean and not worry about someone else’s side of the street.

Check back as I continue my series on Storing Wine In Your Kitchen.