Rules of Happiness - Learn to Let Go

“By letting it go it all gets done. The world

is won by those who let it go. But when

you try and try, the world is beyond

the winning.” – Lao Tzu

Emotions are the things that make us human.

When we cry, we’re experiencing emotion. When we’re
fearful, we’re experiencing emotion. Whenever we’re angry,
upset, passionate, greedy, scared – we’re experiencing
emotion.

But sometimes emotions need reining in!

They cause us not to make that fantastic speech at the
company conference, because we’re scared of the platform.
They stop us making up with long-gone friends, because
we’re still maddened with anger. They cause us to stay in
relationships that damage us, because we’re still emotionally
addicted to the misshapen void the relationship fills.


Emotions aren’t always good for you. You are NOT your
emotions.

Emotions are just things that happen, and which you can
(and should) control.

Sure, that sounds easy. But here’s the thing: it actually really is
easy.

The best way to let go of our troublesome emotions, the
emotions that are holding us back from happiness, is to
discover the art of releasing.

So, what is releasing?

Releasing is the ability to realize that you are desperately
“gripping” onto emotions in your life. You treat them as if
they’re “you.” It’s about realising you can let go of them,
unclench your fist around them, just by making a simple
decision.

How can you start releasing?


The simplest method is just to go through your life,
recognizing where emotions are holding you up. Are you
angry about your home-life situation? Your working hours?
That incident you just had, with the rude guy at the grocery
store?

Bring that issue or situation to the forefront of your mind.
Connect with the emotion.

Then, ask yourself: “Can I let this go?”


Can you let it go? Just for this moment? Could you release
this emotion?

Breathe out, and answer honestly with either “Yes” or “No.”
Either answer is absolutely fine.

If you can let it go, then do it. Really feel yourself letting go.
Feel yourself releasing, unclenching, relaxing, detaching. It
should feel something like when a doctor calls to tell you
those worrying tests have come back all clear: an immediate
release of worry and tension.

And if you can’t let go right now, don’t stress it. Give yourself
permission to hold onto it some more. It’s your decision.

How does that feel? If the emotion still has charge, simply
repeat the process until you feel better – or until you feel like
stopping.

Remember, letting go doesn’t mean you “forgive” the person
at the grocery store, or you “allow” that kind of behaviour. It
just means that you release the negative emotion inside of you.


By releasing negative emotions, you’ll not only enjoy much
more freedom in your life – you’ll also become more
emotionally stable and less stressed too.

THE 18 RULES of HAPPINESS, Karl Moore