Break Free

To make this New Year a successful year, we definitely need to turn all our bad thoughts and habits loose. Before we leap forward to a new start, let’s close the door of the bad practices and perceptions that hold us back. Letting go is an act of power, but with a heart that is ever enduring, losing grip is as easy as holding on to the things you love.

I believe that while it may not be easy, a step can go a long way.

Let’s read this verse from Philippians 3: 12-14:

“Not that I have already obtained all this, or have already arrived at my goal, but I press on to take hold of that for which Christ Jesus took hold of me. Brothers and sisters, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus.”

We cannot start the next month, the next chapter and the new venture if we are all trapped in the old one.

Here’s a list of the things we need to let go of for 2016, and the coming years.

1. Let go of what weighs you down.

Throw all your baggage into where it belongs: the past. Start a new life and breathe in the fresh start, which this year offers. Let loose of all the things, and acknowledge that we are molded through time. Remember, an unsharpened pencil is useless to a writer and artist.

2. Let of your negative attitude.

Live today. Nobody is 100 percent ready for the opportunities that come his way, but at some point, we all have to take a step and move forward. Do not worry too much, and do not let your negative thoughts haunt you. Zealous and determined people do remarkable things. Never allow your self-doubt to get in the way of what you want to achieve. We must be willing and prepared to let go of the life we have so we can have the new life that is waiting for us.

3. Let go of regrets behind you.

Losing one chance absolutely opens you up to a new opportunity. It could be a lesson that could shape you to be more successful and happier in the future, or it could be a possibility, which you’ve never even thought of before. Stop regretting; start accepting.

4. Let go of bitterness, anger and unforgiveness.

I have a short but sweet advice about this: The sooner you forgive, the sooner you’ll move on!

5. Let go of experiences you need to leave.

If you let go a little, you will have little peace. If you let go a lot, you will have an encompassing peace.

Letting go of experiences may not be the easiest undertaking, but what you’ll gain afterwards will be overflowing. If we would keep on replaying the past mistakes over and over again in our head, we won’t be able to make new experiences.

Let’s look into this verse from Luke 9: 62: “Jesus replied, “No one who puts a hand to the plow and looks back is fit for service in the kingdom of God.”

There are still a lot of things we need to let go of, but the abovementioned list could essentially provide us with basic answers. Can you think of anything to add to this list—other areas of life where we need to start letting go of, and other methods to start doing right now?