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.