The Language of Letting Go, Jan. 22
 

JANUARY 22

You are reading from the book "The Language of Letting Go."

Appreciating Our Past

It is easy to be negative about past mistakes and unhappiness. But it is much more healing to look at ourselves and our past in the light of experience, acceptance, and growth. Our past is a series of lessons that advances us to higher levels of living and loving.

The relationships we entered, stayed in, or ended taught us necessary lessons. Some of us have emerged from the most painful circumstances with strong insights about who we are and what we want.

Our mistakes? Necessary. Our frustrations, failures, and sometimes-stumbling attempts at growth and progress? Necessary too.

Each step of the way, we learned. We went through exactly the experiences we needed to, to become who we are today. Each step of the way, we progressed.

Is our past a mistake? No. The only mistake we can make is mistaking that for the truth.

Today, Higher Power, help me let go of negative thoughts I may be harboring about my past circumstances or relationships. I can accept, with gratitude, all that has brought me to today.

©1990, Hazelden Foundation. All rights reserved.

Oh wow- I too have this book and read this, this morning. How powerful this is. I think of my past and I used to be very ashamed of who I was and all I have done. I used to blame myself over and over for staying or being a willing participant in some very unhealthy behaviors.

But God told me that I don't have to feel that way anymore. I didn't know any better at the time and I did the only I knew how to do...survive.

This is a great message for today- and I am proud to say that all my traumatic memories of my past are neat and organized in a room with a very thick door. I only open that door when I want to, and it's not a mess in there. It is tidy and I can find what memory I'm looking for easily and put it back easily. (This is a recommendation from my T) and I really like it.