Inner Beauty: Learning to let it go.

I will be the first to admit that I am a grudge holder. It's not something that I'm proud of, but because I am a work in progress I can honestly say that this one thing I now to be true. If someone makes me mad or makes me feel disrespected I will either not talk to them for a while or stop talking to them all together. I have let a few friendships fall by the waist side because I felt they weren't as true a friend to me as I was to them. I even stopped talking to a very close family member for years because my feelings were hurt.

It wasn't until I learned about forgiveness that I was able to let go of the hurt that I was feeling. I have heard many times that forgiveness is more about you than it is about the other person. There I was mad at not only that particular man, but all men. In my eyes they weren't trustworthy and I felt they would do nothing but abandon me. When I finally chose to let it go and forgive him, it was like I could breath again. My relationship with him, and other men in my life got better.

Another issue that I have learned to let go of was a little bit more difficult. I have learned that you can not carry other peoples burdens. As much as you may love them and want nothing but the best for them, misery truly does love company and it moves like a parasite draining you of all hope and positivity. When you turn other peoples burdens into your own they can fester. And even when things are going right in your own life, the thought of what the other person is going through causes you to negate your own blessings and opportunities.

Now I'm not saying that if someone calls you with some bad news, you say you don't want to hear none of that and hang up on them. Take their struggle to heart and help them in any way that you can without over extending yourself in the process. If someone is sick, help them out the best way you can but don't forget about your own health. If you know that a friend is having financial trouble, help them within your own means. You can't give them money and then not know how you are going to pay your own rent.

That is where faith comes in. Learning to let things go and live happily despite the situation is the truest testament of faith. So deal with the situation as best as you can then, let it go.