The Art of Letting Go

The art of letting go is an art even artist finds hard to learn. There are some I know who failed and fell over and over just by trying it.  And some died learning it.

Who would not know Richard Bach’s famous phrase: “If you love something, set it free; if it comes back it's yours, if it doesn't, it never was.”  To most of us, it is a cliché. But why is it too hard to follow? Why does the question of “how do we begin doing it?” pops through all the time.

Most of us not want to let go. Learning to accept is the hardest first stage we all have to deal with. The feeling of comfort, the regret, the pain of being on loose ends is just but a few requirements to master it. Not to mention there is also a dying heart at stake in doing this.

Why do you cling on even when you are in pain? Why do you hope when you know it is hopeless? Why do you still care when the world already left you carelessly?

Believe it or not, the highest form of love is to let go. Sounds weird? Sure it is. Risky. But worth trying. Just like a mother eagle who taught her child how to fly and catch its prey. It is so difficult to accept that the baby eagle has to fall on the ground to learn how to fly. Just like a parent who allowed her child to enter the dangerous world of education. It is difficult to imagine how an innocent mind can be polluted by worldly desires. Just like a voter who cast a vote in belief of change. Voters cast their most important vote knowing at the end of the day, there will still be vested interests to rule our government. And just like each one of us who let go of one chance to choose a better option. Gambling and risking our heart out.

These are all forms of letting go. Hard. Severe. Painful. Drowsing. Drowning.

But letting go also means bravery. Bravery to accept some things are better without our protective shelter.  Some things are meant to be explored by others. Some fruits needed to be picked by another farmer. Letting go does not mean we are losing something. It is just a mature way of moving forward and facing a better life.  It is also one way to gauge our capacity as leaders --- on whether or not we can soar high even without assistance from others or from our comfort zones.

It isn’t easy to start all over again. But the long-term results will prove it worthy. Letting go does not necessarily mean goodbye. Some things are just worth another try. In a new perspective. In someone else arms.