Catch and Release

 Consider replacing the word “forgive” with the word “release”. In other words, instead of forgiving people, you’re releasing them. You’re releasing them from your life so they no longer have a hold on you. Simply change the question from, “How do I forgive them?” to “How do I release them?” And then consider yourself, love yourself, value yourself, and know you have the power to change the dynamics of any situation.   Anita Moorjani

This was the beautiful advice I received in my social media feed this morning. This was a shining example of Divine Insight and Holy Timing, just for me! 

When the sudden end of a very rocky 3-decade-long relationship knocked me sideways, I prayed for the words to say. I knew it was important to say something, but it was difficult to think. I received the phrase “I release you”, which I said to him with clear intention and with love. I meant it, but it seemed to be more ‘release and catch’ than ‘catch and release’.

I’ll explain. I ruminated. I prayed. I sobbed. I felt very sorry for myself, and while I recognized the self-pity, I kept swimming in the mud. I got angry, I fumed, and I felt the utter discord in my physical body as well as my spirit. Why was that? This was what I’ve wanted for so long! The cords binding us had been sharply cut and cauterized, but I found myself trying to grow new cords, out of habit, perhaps. 

Insight leads to growth. Sometimes growth hurts, but it’s temporary! It will leave scars maybe—those scars become the evidence of having passed through the Big Stuff. Passed through, not stuck in. 

I can have gratitude today for being given the strength to fully release. It is my responsibility to remove the hook, and to ask for help with that action when needed, so to allow that release to be complete.