Letting Go of the Crap: Monk’d Style

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Let’s be honest here. With whatever good intentions we have or brilliant self-help book we just read, it is often difficult to adhere to the worldly wisdoms we know to be true. Life becomes chaotic, and our spirits are filled with turbulent emotions. We lose control, even after knowing that control is simply an illusion. From the family and kids, to searching for purpose and meaning in our life, it is easy for us to lose our path.

 

We are caught in the rat race. We pick up emotions from those around us. We carry thoughts that no longer serve us. And simply put… it’s just crap. And we carry a lot of it.

 

These things happen. We need to unload!

 

In these times, we must regain our center and bring ourselves back to a place of clarity and peace. In this state, we are more powerful and can make stronger choices. We are willing to embrace what is.

 

This is not easy to do. There are many tools that will help. Explore. Try Yoga. Primal Scream. Lucid Dreaming.

 

At MonkMe.com, there are articles to help you clear your Mind, Body, and Soul such as The 5 Steps to Mediation, Top 10 Reasons to Love Yourself, and Monk’d Up: Practical Daily Spiritual Journeys.

 

Though there are many serious things in life, not all things need to be. So let’s clear the crap and baggage from our lives and have fun while doing it!

 

Location is Everything!!!

Find a spot that fits you. It could be the serene spot on the beach. It could be the ruckus of a sporting event. Don’t let anyone tell you where you should be to find your peace and clarity. You know yourself best. So find a locale that allows you to Zen out!

 

If you are blessed with the opportunities to go on retreats, please consider doing so to rejuvenate the spirits. But realize that our minds are quite powerful. A cool shower on a hot summer day can certainly be lived as a journey to the Amazon rain forest. Imagination and reality are not so different.

 

Try:

 

· Camping secluded in Nature

· In a room where no one nor no thing could bother you

· A hot steamy showers or a warm relaxing bath

· Walk a labyrinth

· A library

· A temple or church

· Spiritual centers and retreats

· A sporting event

· Empty Gym

 

Your haven should be comfortable and safe. It should allow you to reflect on your innermost turmoil with grace and objectivity. This is a place that allows freedom from external and internal judgment.

 

It takes time to find the ideal locales. But choose wisely. Don’t allow the environment to distract you from the work at hand. The location is there to serve you in clearing your energy and letting go.

 

Once you are in your spot, its time to start digging.

 

The 5 Steps to Clearing the Crap

Step 1: Know Yourself

 

Know who you are, so you can discard the rest. If you are aware of your Mind, Body, and Soul, you will also be aware of external influences and factors. You can learn how to accept the energy that fills you such as joy, happiness and even loving sadness. You will deflect the chaos that drains you.

 

If unaware of your own being, you may discard so much baggage and truth that you become numb. It is easy to become an “enlightened” zombie, both unattached and unaware.

 

Know your foundation. Ask yourself. Who am I? Why do I do the things I do?

 

Because you change in every moment of every time, your journey of self discovery will never end. Do the work so that you understand your being. Embrace your strengths. Embrace your weaknesses. Embrace you.

 

This step is fun in where you get to explore the world to find the things you love most. This is where you can try different friends, personas, attitudes, and perspectives. Find what is authentic to your spirit and what brings you to smiles. Find what vibes with your very core. Try different movies and new foods. Allow yourself to play. Allow yourself to become tedious and boring. Go wild. Get chill.

 

Step 2: What’s Trash?

 

So you know who you are. Now you can see the energy that drains and fills you with chaos. Take the time to really identify these issues. What is it about this situation that is really burning you? Why is this so hard to let go of? Find this trash. It is anything that is not authentic to your core.

 

What’s bugging you? Why?

 

Get to the root of the situation. Don’t dance around and around rationalizing everything. Don’t get caught in the mundane details that don’t matter. Avoid looking at external factors such as situations or people.

 

Look at yourself. Why are you reacting the way you are reacting? Why are you feeling the emotions you feel? Once you find an answer, go deeper once more. Get to the core underlying issues.

 

For example… that rude remark from your friend made you angry. You are angry because that comment attacked your sense of self and insecurities. You are angry because you were hurt. You were hurt because you allowed your friend to hurt you. You are still hurt, so now you cannot let go.

 

Once you have discovered these, ask if letting go is even possible?

 

Perhaps someone you loved dearly passed away just recently. You have not allowed yourself to mourn, so letting go is not possible. To truly let go, we must unseat these emotions and thoughts from both our conscious and subconscious.

 

Own this garbage. These maladaptive thoughts and emotions has become part of your reality. Own it, so that you can then let it go.

 

Again have fun with this. Use your creativity. You can write names of co-workers or list of lies onto golf balls before teeing off. You can find a stone that represents fear that will be tossed into the ocean. You can paint your inner demons in watercolor.

 

Step 3: Make the Choice to Let it Go

 

We have a choice in most everything. You have a choice now. You are choosing to hold onto this crap. There are reasons that you are holding on to this crap. But the truth remains, you are making the choice to hold on.

 

So make the choice to let go. Commit to loving yourself and the journey of happiness.

 

Will you?

 

Or will you not?

 

If you want to be free of this weight, you need to be at peace with either decision. If you decide you must embrace this situation, then understand this was your choice. It is within your power. Find peace in that. This is also a form of “letting go.”

 

Letting go may come suddenly or in bits and pieces. If you commit to freeing yourself from this, then you will be free.

 

Step 4: Let It Go Already

 

Once you decide that it is time to let go, find different methods to help you achieve this. Find ways that feed your spirit to assist in this emotional purging. Once you are committed this process, explore all the different tools and activities that are possible in your life.

 

Our imaginations again serve us. If all it takes is for you to imagine a pink bubble of fighting ninjas to help rid yourself of this weight… then use it.  If you have to pretend you’re Michael Jordan dunking on your boss to alleviate that TPS memo left on your desk, then so be it.

 

Here are some other fun ideas:

 

· Go Kart to leave your troubles behind.

· Toss your “Emotion” out to sea.

· Climb that rock wall to represent overcoming this weight.

· Shower away your maladaptive thoughts and feelings.

· Name each softball that comes your way at the batting cage.

· Shake a leg, by dancing away your worries to your favorite tunes.

· Run. Not away from your problems… towards the solution. Just literally run.

· Bang at the drums, pounding your problems into dust.

· Savor the magical ice cream that gives you powers of “letting go.”

· Watch the movie that gives you hope and perspective.

 

Keep trying if one method doesn’t work. Return to trusted techniques that served you prior. Eventually, because you are committed, you will find the tool/imagery necessary to help you let go of your crap.

 

You will find a way.

 

Step 5: Reward!!!

 

The greatest thing about “letting go” is the reward we are given. Having these unhealthy attachments weigh on our spirits. Letting go allows us to be lighter, more free, and vibrant. That reward is enough as is.

 

But since we are relatively new to this process of letting go, it can be justified to reward yourself for doing such great work. It can be difficult to move through the first 4 steps. Congrats. The mindfulness and awareness needed to go through this process of letting go is a subtle and deep one.

 

This doesn’t mean you go buy a new Ferrari, or splurge on unnecessary items that put you in credit debt. Do something small and nice for yourself. Go get your nails done. Get some extra whipped cream over that latte. Buy that book you’ve always wanted to read. Write in a journal of your accomplishment.

 

Be proud of yourself. Reinforce that by letting go, you have created a healthier lifestlye. And by rewarding yourself, you will be more willing to “let go” in the future. And once you have done it a few times, this process of letting go will be much easier.

 

You don’t have to stop rewarding yourself though. You’re beautiful. You’re powerful. You’re wise. You deserve a lil’ loving here and there.

 

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