There’s been something on my mind lately. It has to do with lightening the load, letting the past go, forgiveness. Basically, it’s about not dragging your baggage behind you…forever.
I’ve wanted to write about it, but realized I’ve written something similar before and I don’t want to be redundant. Let me repeat that, I don’t want to be redundant.
Yet, I realize, life is a spiritual practice. Truly, it is.
Sometimes, I find myself repeating the same lessons over again. I suppose it’s either because I haven’t fully learned them, or perhaps I just have a short memory. Did I ever tell you that? Does it happen to you, too? Which, you ask? Whichever.
Anyway, lately I’ve been shedding stuff. You’ll remember I let go of the stuff with my neighbor. I’ve also let go of some past relationship baggage – where I’d felt wronged. Maybe, rather than feeling we’ve been wronged we should feel we’ve been “informed.” Seems easier on the soul. (click to Tweet)
I’m not sure what triggers that moment when we choose to drop the load and move forward. It’s strange, but we drag it behind us – the stories, the wrongs – sometimes for a long, looooong, time. They begin to feel like part of us, this extra weight. Maybe eventually we don’t even notice it. These things become part of our identity.
Maybe that’s why we refuse to let them go. We think things like, if I wasn’t a “victim” of so and so, who would I be? If I hadn’t had that bad employment experience, who would I be? If I didn’t have that difficult relationship with that awful person, who I make wrong so I can be okay being me, who would I be? I’m not sure exactly who I’d be, but I’m sure of WHAT I’d would be….lighter. I’m sure I’m okay without the bags.
Seems some of the bags I carry aren’t even my own; they’re the bags of those evil twins, judgment and expectation; the twins who steal our levity, our joy, our liberation. They keep us in the world of our stories, which may or may not be true…but who really cares? [Tweet “Time to dump the bags, only rookies carry other people’s bags, anyhow.”]
So, as I move ahead, I thought I’d share my inner-ramblings with you. Because, while I’m a bit crazy, I’m no more or less crazy than you are… and you’ve probably carried some bags, too. I think you’ll find, if you put down the bags, the colours are more vivid, the heart is lighter, life is sweeter. So….
Check your bags,
Michelle Andres is a writer and artist. She 
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24 Comments
November 7, 2015 at 1:45 am
thank for that last `musiing`, very helpful, yes , I`m quite needing to dump some rather heavy baggage, just about …..Tx
November 7, 2015 at 2:09 am
Teresa – happy to be of service. I wish you all the best. Remember, it will feel GREAT! Travel light! ~m
November 7, 2015 at 2:05 pm
Great post. In some way we all carry too much baggage. Time to put it down and walk away.
November 7, 2015 at 3:31 pm
Yeah, lighten up…feels good!
November 7, 2015 at 9:00 pm
Sometimes it takes a WHOLE lot of practice before we master something, doesn’t it? Rather than being redundant, I like to think each repeat allows us to be more nuanced in our response. 🙂
November 7, 2015 at 9:17 pm
Yes! I like the way you think, Deborah! 🙂
November 8, 2015 at 4:25 am
Great post! As I’ve been lightening my load of “stuff” in my house and studio, I’ve noticed I’ve lightened my load of “baggage” too. It feels great! 🙂
November 8, 2015 at 4:07 pm
Great point, Rebecca! We can have a lot of different kind of baggage…emotional, physical, clutter. It all keeps us from being truly free. Thank you for your comment! ~m
November 8, 2015 at 2:54 pm
Keep sharing Michelle, we’ll muddle through together.
November 8, 2015 at 5:33 pm
🙂
November 9, 2015 at 3:26 pm
The idea of traveling light appeals to me so much right now. And yes, why do we carry other people’s bags? So silly.
November 9, 2015 at 4:06 pm
Right, Naomi? Silly…but we do it all the time. Nice to have the opportunity to catch ourselves and make a change.
November 10, 2015 at 5:46 pm
Your post is confirming to me that it’s time for me to do the work involved in letting go of an employment resentment I’ve been carrying for almost 10 years. I recently acknowledged to myself that part of the story I’ve been denying is that *I played a part* in my “being wronged” by the corporation. Thanks for reminding me that I can be lighter and that I’m ready.
November 10, 2015 at 6:09 pm
Heather, I am truly happy for you. We do the best we can to adapt to current situations…and we aren’t always doing the best thing, though we may feel it’s the best. Other people do the same. It’s a long time to carry the weight and I’m sure you’ll be delighted when you’re able to move forward. Blessings on your journey of letting go. ~m
November 11, 2015 at 2:25 am
Awe! Blessed are those that have the ability to step back to see the situation with true perspective. The practical mind accepts; what the heart finds difficult to realize. I thank you. I am learning that life’s disappointments are a journey, frustrating; as I still blame myself. I am learning. But yes. I too wonder why we are sometimes destined to repeat, naiveté. As difficult as it has been, I am grateful for my family & friends. They believe that the sky is my only limit… with this kindness, Perhaps, this time I will be the stronger one.
Your work, words and abilities are an inspiration.
Thank you, Fondly Yours and Following,
Joanne Coulton
November 11, 2015 at 3:36 am
Thank you for your kind words, Joanne. I am sure you will find your way, lighten your load and revel in the bliss that comes with it all. Let’s keep hanging out…it gets better. Hugs ~m
November 12, 2015 at 12:13 am
I’ve been playing with oracle cards lately and it’s something that’s been coming up again and again for me. What are the chances of the Letting Go card appear three days in a row? If I only knew what exactly I was meant to let go of… Your post gives me some clues.
November 12, 2015 at 2:37 am
Oh, my! What a grand puzzle! I hope you figure it out and gain the benefits of “lightness.” Good luck, Tat! 🙂
November 15, 2015 at 12:30 am
I found myself unable to let go of much of my baggage until after I’d had a few years of success in a row, which gave me enough good memories to allow me to remember those instead.
November 16, 2015 at 5:06 am
Ahhhh, focusing on the good. I’m glad you found a way to get through the past, Skjam congratulations!
November 16, 2015 at 4:06 am
Yes, I am ALL for moving forward. Congrats on your forward movement. How freeing that must feel. Thank you for sharing such a great post!
November 16, 2015 at 5:05 am
Thank you for sharing, your thoughts, Elda!
November 16, 2015 at 12:57 pm
Letting go of old hurts is always difficult, but the rewards are great. I feel so much lighter. Not to say that they don’t sometimes rear their ugly heads again from time to time. But I find them easier and easier to push aside and move forward! Nice read…thank you!
November 16, 2015 at 3:22 pm
Thank you, Debbie!