Letting Go Poem

SHE LET GO

"She let go

Without a thought or a word

She let go

She let go of the fear

She let go of the judgements

She let go of all of options swarming around her head

She let go of the committee of indecision within her

She let go of all the right reasons holy and completely without hesitation and worry

She just let go

She didn't ask anyone for advise

She didn't read a book on how to let go

She didn't search the scriptures

She just let go

She let go of all the memories that held her back

She let go of the anxiety that kept her from moving forward

She let go of the planning and all the calculations of how to do it just right

She didn't promise to let go

She didn't journal about it

She write the projected date in her day timer

She made no public announcement or put no ad in the paper

She didn't check the weather report or read her daily horoscope

She just let go

She didn't analyse whether she should let go

She didn't call her friends to discuss the matter

She didn't do a five step spiritual mind treatment

She didn't call the prayer line

She didn't utter one word

She just let go

No one was there when it happened

There was no applause or congratulations

No one thanked her or praised her

No one noticed a thing

Like a leaf falling from a tree

She just let go

There was no effort, there was no struggle

It wasn't good and it wasn't bad

It was what it was and it is just that

In the space of letting go, she let it all be

A small smile came over her face

A light breeze blew right through her

The sun the moon, shone forever more."

                                          Rev. Safire Rose

If I had my life to live over again

This is one of my favourite poems, I first heard it on my Mindfulness teacher training programme, and it moved me to tears. I find the words so inspiring and it is such a reminder to live life fully and appreciate the present moment

If I had my life to live over, I would have talked less and listened more.

I would have invited friends over to dinner even if the carpet was stained and the sofa faded.

I would have eaten the popcorn in the 'good' living room and worried much less about the dirt when someone wanted to light a fire in the fireplace.

I would have taken the time to listen to my grandfather ramble about his youth.

I would never have insisted the car windows be rolled up on a summer day because my hair had just been teased and sprayed.

I would have burned the pink candle sculpted like a rose before it melted in storage.

I would have sat on the lawn with my children and not worried about grass stains.

I would have cried and laughed less while watching television - and more while watching life.

I would have shared more of the responsibility carried by my husband.

I would have gone to bed when I was sick instead of pretending the earth would go into a holding pattern if I weren't there for the day.

I would never have bought anything just because it was practical, wouldn't show soil or was guaranteed to last a lifetime.

Instead of wishing away nine months of pregnancy, I'd have cherished every moment and realized that the wonderment growing inside me was the only chance in life to assist God in a miracle.

When my kids kissed me impetuously, I would never have said, "Later. Now go get washed up for dinner."

There would have been more "I love you" and more "I am sorry". 

But mostly, given another shot at life, I would seize every minute... look at it and really see it... live it... and never give it back.