August 24-Still Learning to Let Go

Whenever we recognize an outsized emotional response, we can be pretty certain that we are over-identified with something or our shadow self has just been activated and exposed. If we are ultimately incapable of detaching from an emotion, we are far too attached!  --Richard Rohr

    The "wise woman" in Bali who aggravated me so much told me that I make a big deal out of everything, which, of course, irritated me even more. Wasn't she "right on"!??! The truth may set us free, but it may piss us off first. 

    Making a big deal out of everything is being too attached to emotions. In my case, that is typically anger, and I really like to think of it as self-righteous, which only makes me cling harder. I've had a recent experience where something I consider a huge personal slight by a person close to me has been living in luxury in my head rent-free. Several of my daily readings this week have been about healthy emotional release and our tendency to overly attach to emotions (hence the above quote). At last I woke up to the facts that my irritation was only hurting me, that the situation irritating me is unchangeable, and that the other person's behavior is really no surprise. I can just relax, deal with it in a creative manner, and let the angst go.

    Making plans from a center of peace rather than "I'll show you!" feels much better. 

        Leta