Constantly Learning

Motherhood

patiently guiding

persistently loving

constantly learning

Taking another look at the poem I wrote and shared yesterday for Mother’s Day, the “constantly learning” line has me considering how often I have to let go, should let go, do let go. As a mother, and as a person living in today’s world.

Guiding, loving, and learning all are a process of giving, then releasing the outcomes. We raise our children. We don’t live their lives for them. “Love wins” really is true because if love wins, it means we have forgiven, accepted, healed, spoken up, removed obstacles, saw the faces of others instead of turning a blind eye

Being a parent and having a parent is about so much letting go. Letting go of my aging mother. Letting go of my maturing, young adult son. Letting go is also on a continuum. Don’t hang on so tight as to impede someone else’s progress. (This is something I wish I could say more directly to some of the parents of the children I work with too.)

Don’t let go so entirely as to sever bonds that keep us connected to one another in healthy and compassionate ways. Let go when to hang on makes your perspective foggy, murky, pained. Let go when you know there is nothing else you can do to be effective or helpful. Let go when hanging on is only preventing you from forgiving and healing. Let go when you need rest and space of your own.

Let go with love. Detach. Step back. Pray and send good energy, then get on with your own day.

This is a lesson I continue to apply daily. I am constantly learning.