Can it be... is Spring really here just in time for May? As I put winter in my rear view window Spring means it's cleaning time... from outside in or vice versa. If you haven't heard I am focusing my attention on simplifying or should I say keeping it all about the "K.I.S.S."... Keep It Simple Sassy". Well, if it's news to you, check out my April post on how and why I have decided to simplify, clearing out in order to free up space.
Since March, I have been making great strides into simplifying my life. There have been many moments of asking, "Do I really need that?" Yes, many of the moments are directed towards things or objects that may be taking up space or room that is just not necessary. What I have noticed is 1) I have a lot of "stuff" and 2) there is resistance around letting go of some objects. Now, that is not uncommon especially if those objects trigger positive memories of my past. In the Yoga Sutras, Patanjali suggests that memories can be considered a vritti (mental modification). Looking deeper we cling to the good memories (painless) and are quick to disregard or run away from bad memories (painful). Oh, boy can that open up a can of worms and discussions around why I hold onto objects and things. Well in efforts to keep simplifying I'll focus for today on letting go. Why is letting go so hard you may ask? Well here's what I have been exploring in my effort of finding freedom from external and internal "stuff." I love Mike Brown's quote about letting go:
The act of 'letting go' is actually very easy - it's effortless. Thinking about, talking about, and contemplating 'letting go' is hard. - Mike Brown
Most of the time I (we) hold on with our minds. As a result of this chronic clinging, the body ends up "holding" tension and stress in the body. Now stress isn't always a bad thing especially when we are in danger or feel threatened (flight or fight). Our beautiful bodies are so well designed that the body knows how and when to respond to stressful situations. Unfortunately, most of us have to work at relaxing or finding a calm state of being. This endless holding cause tension in the body. So what does stress have to do with eliminate the excess in efforts to simplify? I am glad you asked. Those objects I experienced resistance to letting go of really had nothing to do with the object, it had to do with me letting go of the past. Whether the memory is painful or painless is one question, do I really need it is another but an even more important question is does holding on to an object or memory serving me, now. The act of letting it go is so simple but the thought of letting it go may be extremely challenging. What it is can vary from day-to-day or room-to-room but as my quest to simplify continues I have had to go up against the "stickiness" of letting go. So here are the key questions I ask myself when I contemplating letting go (of things, relationships, expectations and obligations):
Do I really need this?
When is the last time I used it?
Can I live without it?
Does it serve me?
Does it bring me peace or stress?
I ask myself so those questions on a daily basis. Some answers come quickly and I can move on...others may take a bit longer but here's what I have let go of as a result:
Toxic relationships (adios)
Bags of clothes (donated of course)
Old: papers, projects, school supplies electronics and broken projects (recycled when appropriate)
That's just the beginning. As I continue my de-clutter celebration I have also given myself time for the most important pose in my practice, savasana. Talk about the art of letting go... Recognizing there is a tendency to hold on to or cling onto something (a memory, thought, idea, desire or situation) will only be uncovered when I (we) can find ourselves in a peaceful, safe and relaxing environment like savasana (corpse pose). For many, savasana can be the most difficult part of a yoga class. Savasana gives a student, no matter how new or seasoned, an opportunity to find stillness, insight and wisdom of being in the moment to notice any tension or clinging in the body and in the mind all in efforts of letting go. I am pretty sure that anyone that is reading this could use some more relaxation in their lives and if so remember what Thich Nhat Hanh says about letting go...
Letting go gives us freedom, and freedom is the only condition for happiness. If, in our heart, we still cling to anything--anger, anxiety, or possessions--we cannot be free. -Thich Nhat Hanh
Try this Body Scan Relaxation Meditation I use to let go physically to create conditions for happiness.
We all deserve to be happy, peaceful and at ease. Don't you agree? For those things, relationships or situations that aren't serving you... KISS it goodbye!