As I continue to look around my home and consider what more to part with, I often feel some pride in cleaning things out or virtue in passing stuff on to those in need. As I dig more deeply into this process, however, I realize that a bigger challenge is to let go of bad habits, pride, and emotional stuff that keeps me focused on myself or feeling self-righteous. This is the more spiritual side of letting go.
Following are some things I’m struggling to let go of:
- Being right, my opinions (Spouses are helpful for tempering the notion that my way is the right way, but still, the discipline of trying to see a debate from the other side is an exercise in the “spirit of poverty.”)
- Judgments, criticisms, complaining about others (Sometimes I read or listen to programs by commentators that I strongly disagree with. I thought it would be an exercise in trying to understand other’s opinions. Actually, I just got angrier. I decided it’s not healthy for me to listen to inflammatory rhetoric. It just feeds my urge to criticize and feel hopeless. Better to focus on doing something positive.)
- Control, wanting things MY way and quickly (I experienced this with my upcoming book and wanting to micro-manage the layout, title, etc. I’m also big on saving time which sometimes means controlling the pace at which others work.)
Yet, there are some intangibles that I should hold on to:
- Complimenting others on their talents and developing my own talents
- Smiling at strangers, keeping secrets (unless someone is is danger)
- Generous Tipping (This is hard for me since I’m such a tightwad. I have to make a special effort to remember that waiters/waitresses are usually paid low wages.)
