Letting Go: Embracing Freedom From The Past

As Anika sat on the park bench, tracing the rim of a hot cup of coffee, a soft breeze rustled through the trees. The way the sunlight seeped through the foliage, the sound of the birds chirping in the distance, and the laughter of the kids playing nearby were all reasons why she had always cherished this park. Although it was a place of comfort, the burden of the past still hung over her like a frayed old cloak now.

Three years had passed since the event that turned everything upside down. Three years of mentally reliving events and questioning whether there was anything she could have done differently. Every time she attempted to move forward, doubts were murmured into her ears by the usual friends of guilt, regret, and anguish. Today, however, was different. She had made the decision to let go today.

She took an old letter out of her suitcase, one she had written but never sent. She, a younger Anika who had once trusted in fairy tales and happy endings, was the one to whom it was addressed. Carefully unfolding it, she looked at the faded ink:

"To Anika,

I am aware that you feel lost at the moment. I am aware that you are haunted by the past and question whether you will ever be able to shake it. But I want you to realize that holding onto the past like a burden will only prevent you from looking forward to the future. You are more than the mistakes you have made and the heartaches you have experienced. You deserve to be happy. We give you permission to proceed.

As she read those lines, a tear ran down her cheek. For so long, she had found it difficult to believe those words. However, something changed inside of her as she sat there and breathed in the cool fall air. Perhaps the time had come. Perhaps she could forgive herself.

She surveyed her surroundings, taking in the smooth motion of the globe. With his arms spread wide, a young kid sprinted for his mother. An old couple, whose love was eternal, strolled hand in hand. Even though she felt trapped, the world had continued to move. Additionally, she might be able to move as well.

Anika took a deep breath and got to her feet. She watched the water ripple with each little breeze as she made her way to the lake in the middle of the park. Before folding it back, she read the letter one last time while holding it in her hands. She then quietly said goodbye and let it go into the wind, observing as it bobbed in the air until landing on the water's surface.

For some, it was perhaps insignificant, but it was symbolic. But it was everything to Anika. It was the beginning of a healing process. An adventure in accepting release.

She felt lighter as she turned to go, as though the burden of the past had lessened. For the first time in years, she was prepared to face the uncertain path ahead, one step at a time.