A Matter of Perspective

A long time ago, or it might have been last week, I was lamenting my woes. It occurred to me that maybe my woes would not be so burdensome if I would let some of them go!
But which long-held problems should I let go of?
I could let go of complaining but complaining has been such a “comfort” to me. It is such a near and dear companion and always there for me. Well, maybe not “for” me but certainly “with” me.
I could sever my ties with laziness. But laziness has held me so close for so long that I feel I would be remiss if I just dumped it like a stray dog.
I could part ways with my stubbornness but, well, it’s stubbornness.
I could eliminate my shield of fear that keeps me at arms length from enemies as well as friends.
I could let go of so many things but then I fear I might become someone else. So the shield remains in place.
Lately I have been missing my mom—a lot. There are so many things that she enjoyed that she no longer is here for.
I think a lot of my lamentations are stemming from missing her so much.
Then there is the guilt that I should most definitely slice off. I can’t change the past but I can move forward, even with the weight of these woes upon me.
During this Christmas season, I hope that I can let go of the depression which has been weighing on me like a hair shirt. A hair shirt is a shirt made of rough animal hair worn next to the skin as a penance.
I don’t need that. I really don’t need any of these burdens even though they shelter me like a blanket that protects my feet from the boogie man beneath the bed.
What things can you relinquish this Christmas season? How can you make the world a better place?
I’m still thinking...