Let Go, or Let Grow!

In our lives letting go is sometimes the hardest thing to do. Letting go of relationships that may not be supportive or even destructive. Letting go of possessions out of fear that we may be losing something. More often than not, when you decide to let go of the people or things in your life that aren't supportive, loving, and empowering you are actually setting yourself up to be surrounded with the people and things that you really need.

A good example is having a friend that tells you what you want to hear, and having one that tells you what you need to hear. It's what you need to hear that matters most. Are you someone who wants to keep the peace or find some inner peace in order to make yourself feel more centered, balanced, and empowered.

Who or what do you need to let go of? It's a great idea to sit down and make a let go list and a let grow list. Kind of like the traditional pros and cons list. Make a list of people, things, habits, or attitudes that you need to let go of. Now make a let grow list that has the same things only ones that are supportive and empowering. You'll find that this type of documented reflection will help you to find the answers that you have been seeking.

So, my final questions is; Are you going to Let Go, or Let Grow? It's up to you!

Spend Time with Living History.

When I was five years old my family moved to a farm. My parents rented a house on the farm that happened to be next door to an elderly couple, Mr. & Mrs. Lambert. They were the parents of the farm owners wife. Mr. Lambert would always go out in the evening and sit in an old comfortable chair in his front yard until it got dark outside. By the time I was nine or ten I would go down and sit with Mr. Lambert. We had great conversations. Listening to him was like having a living history lesson. You see, Mr. Lambert at that time was well into his eighties. He had not only seen it all, but lived through it all. From the great depression to the world wars.

I know one of the reasons for my need to spend time with the Lamberts was the fact that I had only one living Grandparent, my Grandmother on my Father's side and never really got an opportunity to spend any time with her. So there was this inner yearning for connecting with that generation.

I learned so much from Mr. Lambert including a formula that I still use today. I call it ASL. It stands for Ask, Shut Up, and Listen. I learned more from him about real history than any text book could offer me. After all aren't text books someone's opinion or perception of historical events. You can't always believe all that you read. Everyday, I would try to do my homework in the school bus on the way home so that I could do my chores and then go and sit with Mr. Lambert. I would also do chores for he and Mrs. Lambert just to be able to spend time with them.

My parents taught me right from wrong. The Lamberts showed me how to apply it through the way they conducted themselves. The way they treated each other, even the way they disagreed was a lesson. I think that so much is lost in our society today. Children don't get the opportunity to interact with our living history as much as in the past. In the past when grandparents got on in age they would live with their children and grandchildren. By doing that they passed on family history, traditions, and stories. They helped to pass on lessons in respect, compassion, and empathy. As adults I think it's important to spend time with our living history. Visiting regularly with senior family members, neighbors, or visiting someone in a seniors home.

In closing, the next time you think about reading a history book, why don't you go instead and talk to one. It will be better for you and it will brighten another persons day.