Letting Go

Greetings from Mysore, India! 'Breaking out of the cocoon' might have befit the title for a post after the 6 month silence, since I left Chicago and arrived in India. More on that later, but reminding myself of my thoughts from before. I need to eat my own words! That sums my present.

K remarked from the car window (while we were at a red light) saying “Mama mama, look at that little small tiny bird on the tree”. I turned and noticed a black sparrow type of bird on the top of the tree. She then said “It’s crying because its mommy is not there”. Her exact words, not making it up. As if the bird heard, it flew to an adjacent tree to two bigger birds. K saw that and smiled a happy smile. I just savored that innocent adorable moment. At the same time, my head was saying “as long as it lasts”.  If she is Perry Winkle, I am Tinker Bell. If she is Chutki, I am Indumati. If she is Snow White, I am Belle. She is into role playing big time. Childhood bliss at its peak as long as it lasts. One day I have to let her fly out of the nest. I recently read a mom story wherein her teenage daughter left for college. She had to let go and believe that her baby will be alright. That, it is time for all the grooming that happened to bloom. A time to sow and a time to reap. A time to hang on and a time to let go.

We need to move to India four days before the Christmas program at K’s school. Hard for me- more than her. She was pleasantly singing “We wish you a Merry Christmas, we wish you a merry Christmas and a happy new year” after school today. They are probably teaching the children the songs. These are moments that I need to let go. Change is hard when you are being shaken out of the comfort zone. But if you never let go, you might never know what is on the other side. Someone said a clichéd statement “You let go, if it’s meant to be – it will be”. Maybe it is true. To everything there is a season. In no ways does any of this mean that you don’t take effort. This is not the 'let go' that birthed from the 'did not try'. Hard work precedes all matters. And persistence is key in every situation. May the Lord grant the wisdom to know the difference. That is my take.

With my past two jobs, I let go amidst many doubts. I read somewhere that you learn to let go before learning to get. I know for sure the first time no regrets and this time, even better and necessary. With change, there are things given up and things gained. A beautiful thought by Confucius - “The way out is through the door. Why is it that no one will use this method?” Sometimes walking out is the answer. Another zen moment.

So, what are we hanging on to that could be let gone?