[SeptemberMorn]

There is some way to get beyond every limiting factor that exists outside you. The limitations within you, however, are the ones that most stubbornly hold you back. The challenges and obstacles outside you usually require time, effort and persistence to get beyond. Getting past the limitations within you requires nothing more than the simple act of letting go.

Yet all too often, those self-imposed limitations persist, day after day, year after year. But every one of them can be gone the moment you choose to let go.

Why do you cling so tightly to the limiting thoughts, the assumptions, and the feelings that hold you back? It doesn't really matter why.

What matters is that you realize those self-imposed limitations are not a permanent part of you. You can choose, at any time, to leave them behind.

When you do, you'll find that you can easily and naturally handle whatever challenges life may throw your way. When you leave your limitations behind, you'll be moving quickly and solidly ahead.

-- Ralph Marston

[vacantangel]

Letting go of things that have hurt me has never been successful for me. I carry them all still. I don't know how to let go. How do you forget? Just one more item on the huge pile for therapy. Gosh, I have enough things to work out in therapy for 3 lifetimes.

[SeptemberMorn]

Nope. It's not like just opening your hand and letting them fall to the ground. I, for one, needed the help of a good therapist to help me unclench my fist and look at the insecurities and listen again to all the negative, painful stuff that had been said or done to me. Since my perps were all dead, she helped me with imagery so that I could confront the perps and tell them where they were wrong and how their thinking was wrong and that I'm NOT the worthless, poor excuse for a human being they had me believe I was.

It's kinda like taking a test then self checking your answers. You erase or scratch out the wrong answers and write in the right answers.

There's more to the process but it sure is worth it!

[vacantangel]

Although I have perfs as well, I also have abandonment from former friends and one romantic rlationship.

[Wants2Fly]

[sabby]

What an excellent piece. And so very true!

We never forget what wrongs have been done to us. But we do CHOOSE how to deal with them. And with anything in life, it takes lots of practice to change the negative ways to positive ones.

In my life, I choose one area that I wanted to change. I worked on it, made some mistakes, started over, learned and then succeeded. Then I went on to the next thing and before I knew it, things began to fall into place. By changing a couple of little things, the huge things almost seem to take care of themselves.

It was a wonderful experience, one in which I will never forget. Of course my life is not perfect, nor am I, but I'll tell you what, I'm sure as hell enjoying the ride more than I did before!! To be able to realize that ANYTHING good is possible....it's just an awesome feeling!

Hugssssssssssssssss

[SeptemberMorn]

I have those as well. We probably all do.

[SeptemberMorn]

Thanks, Wants2!

Sabau2, thank you so much for adding such a positive note to the thread! It shows it CAN be done! It just takes some work.

September, thank you so much for posting this. I still harbor many mixed feelings about those that hurt me all my life. And learning to let go and forgive is a hard lesson... one that I am just beginning to learn. I myself do not have the capability, as of yet, to unclench my fist. I look forward to the day when I finally can. Thank so much september and sabau2 for your positive thoughts.

Ryan

[SeptemberMorn]

A minister, of all people, told me that we don't have to forget in order to forgive. In fact, we need to remember in order to not put ourselves in a hurtful situation again. For me to "forgive" was a matter of not allowing the hurt to impact my life anymore; just reaching a state of indifference. I can't forsee a time where "it will be okay" that a given person has hurt me. There are still times when the rage comes up thinking of who hurt me and how. That state of indifference is with me most of the time, though. It's in the past and there's where I choose to keep it, but even THAT takes time and a process.

I wish you the best in your efforts.

[sabby]

You are welcome September!

You put up a wonderful post!

Hugsssssssssssss