When the Past has Passed

I read in Eat, Pray, Love by Elizabeth Gilbert the "Instructions for Freedom". There were 10 steps, but I really liked three of them, so those are the only ones I am going to recite here. You can read the book for the rest if you so desire.

1. "The day is ending. It's time for something that was beautiful to turn into something else that is beautiful. Now, let go.'

2. "When the karma of a relationship is done, only love remains. It's safe. Let go."

3. "When the past has passed from you at last, let go. Then climb down and begin the rest of your life. With great joy."

I reread #1. Something beautiful turning into something beautiful. There is hope. There is growth. There is MORE. There is something after... next. And it is beautiful. Let go and let it happen.

I really love in #2 that she uses the word "done" as opposed to over. Something about the word "over" makes me think of a bad ending. "Done" gives me a sense of something running it's course as it should have. It is done. The end came as it was supposed to. The lessons were learned and the season is done. Done is what I am when I finish.

And #3 gives me hope that the rest of my life can start and it can start joyfully. Isn't that nice to think of the rest of your life starting with great joy? It sounds good to me. I am going to claim that hope, that suggestion, that promise.

May we all "climb down" and begin the rest of our lives with great joy.

And so it is. And so it shall be.

Namaste.