Let It Be

*Posted originally on strongandmindful

In the children’s book Melvin Might?, Melvin is a cement truck that worries. In the story, he is faced with a choice – overcome his fears to save a friend, or stay where he knows he will be safe. Melvin faces his fear and dives in (literally) to save his friend. The phrase “I can try” becomes the theme of the story as he pushes his friend, Rita, to safety. And as they ride off into the sunset, feeling the joy from their closest friends, Melvin responds, “yeah, but I still might worry.”

A few evenings ago I was feeling a bit like Melvin. Okay, a lot like Melvin. Worried about the daily tasks of life and how to get them done. Worried about not having enough time. Worried about health, and the health of those close to us. Worried about being a mom, and not doing enough. Questions about the future I cannot answer. Worried about creating Strong and Mindful and what to make of it and why. Worried about choices my kids make and how I can guide them. Worried about finding ways to connect with each kid and connect with my hubby and connect with myself. Thinking about what worked in the past, and then worried because we were no longer on the same path as before. Then I started worrying about worrying.

The next morning I awoke feeling anxious. I hadn’t slept well (turns out worrying about worrying isn’t restful!). My mind was filled with ‘should’ statements centered on what I ‘should’ be doing in order to find solutions to it all.

It’s then I caught myself. Simply became aware of my thoughts. That’s mindfulness. Mindfulness is awareness. Seeing thoughts as…thoughts. Sometimes we can take it a step further and do something with those thoughts. Like Melvin, we could face a fear. Sometimes awareness enables us to let something go. And sometimes, the choice is to ‘let it be.’

Let it be?

With a decade of both teaching and practicing yoga, the phrase ‘let it go’ resonates with me. I’ve seen those three words create peace and simplicity in my life and in the lives of others.

But I’ve also found there are some things in life we simply cannot ‘let go.’ Maybe there is a turn in the road and we can’t see what is coming.

Or we know what is ahead, but the road is full of bumps.

Or the road we see is another long stretch, and by only looking straight ahead, we are missing the beauty around us.

“We don’t have to let go. We simply have to not hold on.” – Joseph Goldstein

I find comfort in those words. Choosing to simply be aware reminds me that I don’t have to let thoughts rule my life. Those worries might still take space in my mind, but they don’t have to consume me.

I believe the lyrics of the famous song ‘Let it Be’ by the Beatles were inspired:

When I find myself in times of trouble

Mother Mary comes to me

Speaking words of wisdom, let it be.

And in my hour of darkness

She is standing right in front of me

Speaking words of wisdom, let it be.

Let it be, let it be, let it be, let it be.

Whisper words of wisdom, let it be.

And when the broken-hearted people

Living in the world agree

There will be an answer, let it be.

For though they may be parted there is

Still a chance that they will see

There will be an answer, let it be.

Let it be, let it be, let it be, let it be.

Yeah, there will be an answer, let it be.

Let it be, let it be, let it be, let it be.

Whisper words of wisdom, let it be.

Let it be, let it be, let it be, let it be.

Whisper words of wisdom, let it be.

And when the night is cloudy

There is still a light that shines on me

Shine until tomorrow, let it be.

I wake up to the sound of music

Mother Mary comes to me

Speaking words of wisdom, let it be.

Let it be, let it be, let it be, yeah, let it be

There will be an answer, let it be.

Let it be, let it be, let it be, yeah, let it be

There will be an answer, let it be.

Let it be, let it be, let it be, yeah, let it be

Whisper words of wisdom, let it be.

The words “when the night is cloudy, there is still a light that shines on me. Shine until tomorrow, let it be. There will be an answer, let it be” speak to me.

To create simplicity, I invite the phrase ‘let it be.’ There will be an answer, and it will be different for each of us. For me, I know focusing on today allows those Melvin-like worries to rest on the shelf. I am aware they are there, but I can choose small and simple actions. Embrace imperfect, messy moments. Laugh. Make today matter. Do the things that bring light into my life. I can let it be. And, just like Melvin, I might still worry, but I can try.