Closing the Books: A Lesson in Letting Go

Jonathan Fields sent me this short audio story as an example for recording my own 5-10 minute one. I intended to listen to a minute or two and then go off to write whatever I was going to say. But I was intrigued by the promise… so I kept listening!

Our years (our lives, really) are filled with debits and credits, things that cost us and things that renew us. As part of a review process, we should seek to “close the books” (just like accountants do in business) and let go of past hurts. Look back at your recent year and ask yourself:

• What were the things that filled my personal life account and left me better than I was before?
• What were the things that drained my personal life account and left me worse off?
• Where are the gaps?
• What can I reconcile so that I can be at peace?

As Jonathan explains, the final step is to accept that:

“I’ve learned what I’m capable of learning at this moment in time. I’ve reconciled … I’ve adapted … I’m moving forward to create something more thrilling, more thriving. There is no constructive purpose in going back … I’m writing a new story.”

I’m not very good at letting go, but that’s a lesson for another day. Or maybe Jonathan will do another audio teaching that blows my mind like this one.

*I know, sometimes my blog is just “more stuff from Jonathan.” See here, here, here, and here (among others). But he’s so good!

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