Tuesday, January 3, 2012

Letting Go of the Past

Summer, autumn, now winter, I watch leaves as they cling to branches, some refusing to let go even after changing color. They hold on as long as they can, despite the whipping wind, despite the raging rain, despite the spitting snow.

I watch leaves on trees dry and curl to a crisp in the cold.  I don't know why they won't let go.  I hope to free myself from obstacles, from self-destructive behaviors. 

I'm not making any kind of resolution this year, but I hope to cling to the peace that rests in my soul, and let go of the withered leaves that grip the branches in the bitter cold.

I can see how my life correlates to my discovery  of the trees I view from summer to winter.  Even when I'm tired and have little strength to endure, I sometimes still hold on.  And sometimes I cling aimlessly unto the branches in my troubled soul, as trying to let go isn't always easy, I know.

I can take comfort knowing that I can cling to the past or let go when I know it's wrong as I search for peace, or I replace a void, or I gain immediate satisfaction.  Sounds contradictory? Maybe.  What's important is how I deal with the consequences or how the consequences affect me.

Whatever path I take, it's okay, as long as I learn that seasonal changes are like life changes.  And, like leaves, I can cling, sometimes and I can let go, sometimes.



Let the leaves, trees, and the seasons teach us lessons in our everyday actions as we journey through life.

54 comments:

  1. Wow, beautiful. So true. Let's shoot for peace for all :) Especially ourselves.

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  2. This is lovely Peaches; there are so many things that we should fight for and hang on to, but also so many things we have to let go and give to God.

    Blessings and love for a bright and joyful New Year,
    Denise :)

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  3. Kelly and Denise, thanks for your comments. Clinging and letting go have been burning words for me and I thought about writing something about them. Wishing you a very speacial New Year with all things great.

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  4. Such a beautiful metaphor for life. I too, have had to let go of some things lately, and I find I am stronger when I did.

    I often find that hwen I am most tired, that is when I need to remind myself to stop fighting it. It all falls out in God's master plan, my job is to find the best fit for me in it.

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  5. Julianna, I hope I can truly learn from what I write.

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  6. I have always loved leaves because of how they speak to me. One thing about leaves is they may cling on through the worst winter they always do eventually let go. What a relief is must be for them come Spring. To finally let go...

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  7. This is beautiful, and very inspiring! I love it! And I love that you will cling to the peace in your soul this year. I don't think there is any better resolution than that. :) Happy 2012!

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  8. I love this post. Thanks for stopping by my blog, I'm glad to meet you. From a fellow tree lover, I wish you a wonderful new year with an abundance of peaceful moments along your path.

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  9. We must all learn how to let go. Easier said than done - I know. But consider this. Clinging on will prevent us from moving forward. And when you think of that, isn't it better, and wiser to let go.:-)

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  10. What a beautiful word picture. I connected deeply with this post.
    Catherine Denton

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  11. Beautiful post. I think that just the fact that you've written about your problems with letting go and holding on is a sign that you're working on it.

    I hope that you have great success with learning when to let go (or hold on).

    :-)

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  12. Very nice analogy! Hope your 2012 is wonderful!!

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  13. Happy New Year Peaches! Nice post and all the best in 2012.

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  14. Birdie, I know you must be facing a struggle because of your mom's passing. I don't think grief is the same as clinging. You must grieve to heal your pain.

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  15. Leigh, Ruth, Nietizen, Misha, Carol and Cynthia, thanks as always for your support.

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  16. This is beautiful. And such a great observation. I LOVE trees and now every time I look at them I will think of this post. Cling or let go?

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  17. Very nice illiteration. Lovely pictures. Good luck with the coming year. I look forward to future posts.

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  18. Beautiful post! I love the metaphorical images of your piece. ;)

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  19. This is such a beautiful--unforgettable post. Thank you!

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  20. A beautiful, heartfelt post. Your lovely expression of words is quite poignant. I will never look at trees in quite the same way after reading this post. Stunning images, meaningful words. Wishing you a healthy, happy 2012!

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  21. What a beautiful post. You have such a way with words. I hope you have a wonderful 2012! :)

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  22. Wow, This is truly beautiful. I am sorry for your loss. I hope you are doing okay. I lost my mom twelve years ago and I miss her every day. Life keeps change and moving on and we must too. :) I hope you find happiness in the new year.

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  23. Thank you for visiting my blog and becoming a follower! I enjoyed visiting yours, reading today's post, and I am looking forward to perusing your archived posts when I have some quiet time! That's usually early in the morning, before the sun comes up and the birds make their appearance, and I have a steaming hot cup of coffee in my hand. ~karen

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  24. Wow!!!!! very well writen and thanks for following me as well. I realy like you word choices

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  25. Peaches, some really inspiring thought here. You've reminded me that no matter how difficult our circumstances, we do manage to prevail. Be blessed.

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  26. Lots, lots to think about. Thanks so much for visiting Buttercup's. Please stop by often.

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  27. This post came at a time when I was trying to let some things go so it really struck a cord with me. You have such a wonderful way with words and there is lots of wisdom here. God bless you and thanks for the encouragement.

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  28. I don't make resolutions, either. I break them, then get down on myself, which isn't healthy.

    I love your goals, and agree with you for them.

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  29. Much like how the autumn foliage falls and lays dormant through winter, finding peace through letting go is an inevitable process that will gradually happen; and, much like how foliage begins, tranquility will find you anew.

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  30. Very well said, Peaches. Life is a matter of making the right choices. We become what we believe.
    Thank you for stopping by,.
    :)

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  31. Sure. But everything that happens is a result of decisions.

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  32. Jenny, Miranda,cherie, Elisabeth, Julie, Chantele, Jessica, Karen, Gordan, J.L. Campbell, Buttercup,
    Beauty and the Green, Jeanette,
    Alex, and Pam, thanks for all your wonderful comments. The Observer, true, a result of our decisions resuling in our actions.

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  33. I am touched by this, the first post of yours that I have read. Thank you so much for visiting my blog so that I could find this post and your blog. While there are times when hanging on is necessary,for me letting go has been one of the most important life lessons.

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  34. Beautiful thoughts. I especially liked, "Whatever path I take, it's okay, as long as I learn that seasonal changes are like life changes. And like leaves, I can cling sometimes and I can let go, sometimes."
    I needed to read those words tonight. I saw that you visited my blog, and I came over to read a little. It's funny how sometimes, it's just so hard to let go, isn't it?

    I look forward to reading more from you!

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  35. Thanks for joining me, Peaches, great to see you there. Have a great and wonderfully creative year. Carole.

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  36. Peaches,
    Love your gentle reminder that sometimes we need to cling and at others, we need to let go.
    Blessings to you, Susan

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  37. You got my mind to thinking on this one. Here in Los Angeles the leaves mostly just stay on the trees and don't change while everything around is always changing and near chaotic.
    Sometimes I think it would be nice to just let go and let the wind carry me where it would.

    Lee
    A cat's memoir?
    Wrote By Rote

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  38. Inger, thanks for visiting my blog for the first time.

    Sandi, It's so true that sometimes we can't seem to let go.

    Craziness Abounds, Carole, Susan and Arlee, thanks for leaving your comments.

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  39. Hi Peaches,
    Thank you so much for visiting my blog. Your post is beautiful--a lovely and inspiring analogy. I look forward to becoming a regular visitor.
    Valentina x

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  40. Beautiful descriptive writing! Thanks for visiting my blog! I look forward to your posts.
    Lo
    lojwriting.blogspot.com

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  41. I love the way you compare life with the leaves..in that case,im clinging on..not letting go as yet
    how's ur book writing?tell me wen u get it published..I'll grab it for sure :)

    Take care Peaches

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  42. Lovely comparison. Great attitude on change, too. Love it. Keep it up and the seasons will always favor you.

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  43. Happy New Year, Peaches. Was just thinking of you again today, as I wrote responses to comments on my most recent post--I had reason to quote that great header you have, again, "THANKS FOR FOLLOWING - IT'S BETTER TO TRAVEL WITH OTHERS THAN TO TRAVEL ALONE." You are so right, and have a great New Year!

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  44. I have just had a lovely browse around your beautiful blog..
    Many thanks for sharing xx

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  45. nice one. this is my first visit and i am impressed :)

    shall come back to read lots of incredibly written entries of yours :)

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  46. C'mon girl write! lol Hope all is well. Thanks for stopping by today.

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  47. Beautiful imagery here. This is my first visit--an added bonus of your having stopped by my website. I look forward to reading more in 2012. I've read the whole page--your partner is right. You have a gift for writing.

    Thank you for taking the time to comment on my site.

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  48. I just had to come back over and tell you thank you so much for the comment you left on my post yesterday. That was sooo sweet :0) It absolutely made my day!

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  49. Beautiful. I love the things we learn about ourselves in nature. I've also had those moments of holding on too long. It's hard to know when to let go and when to hang on...I think it's one of the things we learn throughout our whole lives.

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  50. Thanks For Sharing Wonderful Photos...
    Amazing Photos......Thanks
    Seo company in Bangalore

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  51. Peaches,
    I am speechless, This is so beautiful i actually cried.

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    Replies
    1. Jackie, sometimes we are reminded of things we must face and must let go.

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