*The Fine Art of Letting Go*

Sometimes in our lives, we have to learn to let go of people or relationships that are toxic. As you mature, you should learn that even though you might want to maintain the relationship, it is not beneficial to your emotional or physical health. Hanging in there and trying over and over to change the situation can be defeating and usually goes nowhere.

I have decided to learn to let go of a relationship which, at one time, brought much joy and happiness into my life. Sadly, however, it has turned sour over the past several months. In odd ways, people can be like plants. If a relationship is not watered or nurtured, it too can suffer from thirst, it's leaves can turn from a bright green to a muted brown, and like the colorless leaves on the once healthy plant, it will eventually die.

Sometimes, we must let go of people, places and things, even though we still care for them, or harbor good memories, if it turns out that they will provide an unhealthy or toxic element into our lives. Staying free of these compulsions is not an easy thing to do, often the pain of walking away can be sharp, piercing a deep wound inside of one's heart. Letting go, however, means surrendering for our own good and ultimately, our peace of mind. Often, we must let go as well to honor and respect the needs of the other person, even if their goals are quite different from ours. It will be better for both of us in the end. Life is just too short to be unhappy.

So for this, my 100th post, I have made a decision to walk through the pain of a relationship that has become unhealthy for me. This does not mean that I do not feel sad, and that I won't miss the relationship or the person, but sometimes we have to let go in order to grow, in spite of the pain and hurt, so we can get to the other side of the rainbow, with the hope that there is still light inside.