The Unexpected Gift
When illness forces us to let go
Dear Friend
How are you? I hope you’re feeling well. I’ve been taken down by the summer lurgi, and whatever type of virus it is, it’s spreading like wildfire here in Wales.
Life has a way of reminding me that I’m not always in control. Once again, I find myself in a position where I need to “let go”. My body, in its wisdom has been signalling for a while now that I need to pause, for rest, for healing, for a wellbeing reboot. As much as my mind is restless with ideas to write and work to be done, today I learnt to listen to the whispers of my body saying “pause”.
It’s in these moments of forced stillness, when my guilt of inactivity threatens to overwhelm me, that I’m reminded of a beautiful poem that has become my anchor “She Let Go” by Safire Rose.
I wrote about it here on Substack over a year ago, and still it speaks to the heart of what I’m experiencing. It’s a gentle reminder that sometimes the most powerful thing we can do is simply let go. Its wisdom lies in its simplicity, in its celebration of release without fanfare or struggle. I should print it out and frame it!
As I try and navigate this bout of illness and necessary rest, I invite you to pause with me, take your time to read this poem, reread it and let me know how it lands with you
“She let go”
Without a thought or a word, she let go. She let go of the fear.
She let go of the judgments,
She let go of the confluence of opinions swarming around her head. She let go of the committee of indecision within her.
She let go of all the right reasons.
Wholly and completely, without hesitation or worry, she just let go,
She didn't ask anyone for their advice. She didn't read a book on how to let go.
She didn't reach the scriptures.
She just let go.
She let go of all the memories that held her back.
She let go of all the anxiety that kept her from moving forward.
She let go of the planning and all of the calculations about how to do it just right.
She didn't promise to let go.
She didn't journal about it. She didn't write the projected date in her day-timer.
She made no public announcement and put no ad in the paper.
She didn't check the weather report or read her daily horoscope. She just let go.
She didn't analyse whether she should let go. She didn't call her friends to discuss the matter. She didn't do a five step treatment.
She didn't call the prayer line. She didn't utter one word.
She just let go.
There was no around when it happened. There was no applause or congratulations.
No one thanked her or praised her.
Like a leaf falling from a tree, she just let go. There was no effort.
There was no struggle.
It wasn't good and it wasn't bad.
It was just what it was and it is just that.
And in the space of letting go, she let it all be. A small smile came over her face.
A light breeze breeze blew through her.
And the sun and the moon shone forevermore.
I hope in sharing this poem again, I do hope it lands well with you and reminds you, as it has for me, that it’s ok to stop, to slow down, because the body keeps the score! Note to self - it’s not a weakness or a failure to step back, if anything it’s an act of self-care and self love.
For those seeking further explanation of these themes, I highly recommend "Language of Yin" by Gabrielle Harris, a beautiful publication that delves deeper into the art of letting go and how to embrace our natural rhythm.
It’s a rather late in the day post for me, but I needed to share that poem with you. I’m off to watch Netflix, which I hardly ever do, if you have any TV series recommendations, please send them my way.
Until the next time
Take care and stay safe xx
About me… I’m Tanya Lynch, a mother, a ridgeback owner and the founder of Ease Retreats. I love what I do, collaborating with authors and creatives, hosting retreats in beautiful venues across the UK. I’m also a therapeutic journaling coach and through my program Rage on a Page, I help midlife women channel their emotions into something more positive and creative in less than 60 days. Each Thursday I host an online journaling club called Journal with Ease and it’s free for paid subscribers to attend. If you have any questions about the benefits of therapeutic journaling, please reach out and connect. I’m usually on a beach walking the dogs, hosting retreats or hanging out here on Substack.
Yes, beautiful 😍 I particularly sensed the line ‘Like a leaf falling from a tree, she just let go’ 🍃🍂
And as Jennifer Anniston was mentioned in the chat, I would recommend ‘The Morning Show’ ❤️👍🏼 I binged the series while I was ill.
Thank you for sharing this, Tanya. I found this poem confronting! Amongst other things. It's powerful.
If you have access to Sky I would highly recommend Somebody Somewhere. It's beautiful and life affirming, hilarious and heart-breaking.