Let It Go: Lessons on Cutting the Ties from Frozen

If you’ve been anywhere on the Internet or in public with children in the past year, you’ve heard the song “Let It Go”, either the original or one of the many covers. And if you’re a parent, you’ve probably heard it enough times that the mere mention of the title sends you into an ear worm rage. (I’m sorry!)

People everywhere have been crowing about the line, “You can’t marry a man you just met.” And that’s definitely a valid message for young girls who are bombarded by media messages that tell them their worth comes from their beauty or their man.

Let it Go Lyrics let it go frozenFrozen contains another great message for our children (and us), and it comes through that ear worm:

The Let It Go Lyrics

When other people try to crush your dreams? Let it go. Their opinions aren’t as important as yours.

When life doesn’t turn out the way you planned? Let it go. There’s something better around the corner.

When someone insults you? Let it go. Your identity is not defined by other people.

When you are overwhelmed by a seemingly insurmountable to-do list? Let it go. Refocus your priorities and tackle that list one step at a time.

How great is it that young children are learning the lesson of not allowing what other people think to effect them? Of not letting a negative experience hijack the rest of their day, or their life?

As adults, this can be a tough lesson to learn. It’s not something that was widely taught, at least when I was a child. If it were easy, there wouldn’t be teachers out there having to teach us how to let go of our emotional responses, to cut the ties to the experiences that no longer serve us.

Cutting the ties to the things that no longer serve you can bring a lot of freedom, and relief. It can be a huge drain on your energy, not to mention your happiness, to carry around the baggage from past hurts (or perceived hurts).

I know I can tend to spin myself up in anger, self pity and pain when I am upset. Sometimes I can let it go easily, and other times it takes a lot of work to calm down. At those times, my journal and meditation are my best friends. Because holding on to the anger and pain doesn’t do me any good. It just keeps me in pain longer.

To be clear, I’m not advocating not taking action to improve an uncomfortable situation. Taking action from a place of calm, from a centered place is much more effective than reacting in anger or fear, though. I encourage you to take the time to let go of the disruptive emotions and choose to act from your personal power.

Keep Calm and Let It Go Learn howSo next time you’re feeling frustrated, or weighted down by something that has happened, before you react, remember to take the time to “Let it go, let it go, and rise like the break of dawn.”

Blessings,

Mary

PS Would you like some help? Learn to let it go in just fifteen minutes with the Cutting the Ties Guided Meditation here.