Saturday, January 30, 2010

Really, Really

I haven't posted this poem in a long time but I've been gathering quotes for a talk I'm giving at an upcoming retreat and came across it. When I was brand new in Al-Anon another member gave it to me and all those definitions of letting go surprised the heck out of me. "Really?" I wanted to question her. I can only imagine she would have replied, "Really, really."
Letting 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 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 all the outcomes
but to allow others to affect their destinies.

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 grow and live for the future.

To "let go" is to fear less
and love more.

9 comments:

Dianne said...

I needed this right now, having lost a friend to the ravages of Parkinsonism and more yesterday. I will cut and paste this to my pocket and look at it all day.
Love your blog,
Dianne

truevyne said...

thanks for this.

Unknown said...

I know we are all connected but everytime I log on to read blogs yours is always there with the message that my HP needs me to read and as usual, here it is again, thank you Hope as always I am grateful.

xo Gabi

Heidi Renee said...

you don't know how badly I needed this RIGHT NOW Hope - exactly RIGHT NOW - thank you. opening my hands to embrace this day and all that it has for me. Thank you.

Lou said...

This is wonderful, I'm printing it also. A misconception about AlAnon is we sit around and complain about the alcoholic. That is the exact opposite of what we do!

Evelyn said...

I've been away from blogworld this week (tax season, yanno!) I'm so glad you posted this Letting Go poem. Yes, I need this. Thank you, Hope.

Daisy said...

Boy, that's something that I should have tattooed somewhere on my body for easy reference. Unfortunately, soon it would be illegible due to the wrinkle factor...

Thanks for that, Hope.

Mich

Just Be Real said...

Hope, appreciate this deep meaning poem. Blessings.

Thirsty Girl said...

oh man I needed this. it is good. so good.