Today we are going to look at affirmations to help us let go of the past and move on. The past is over and done and cannot be changed. This – the here and now – is the only moment we can experience.
Even when we lament about the past, we are experiencing our memory of it in this moment, and losing the real experience of this moment in the process.
Many people come to me and say they cannot enjoy today because of something that happened in the past. Because they did not do something or do it in a certain way in the past, they cannot live a full life today.
Because they no longer have something they had in the past, they cannot enjoy today. Because they were hurt in the past, they will not accept love now, and so on. These negative statements simply keep them powerless to live their lives in the here and now.
Here are some more specific examples. Do any of them resonate with you?
- Because I did not get invited to the high school prom, I cannot enjoy life today.
- Because I did poorly at my first audition, I will be terrified of auditions forever.
- Because I am no longer married, I cannot live a full life today.
- Because I was hurt by a remark once, I will never trust anyone again.
- Because I stole something once, I must punish myself forever.
- Because I was poor as a child, I will never get anywhere.
What we often refuse to realize is that holding on to the past – no matter what it was or how awful it was – is only hurting us. “They” really don’t care. Usually, “they” are not even aware. We are only hurting ourselves by refusing to live in this moment to the fullest.
Let us now clean up the past in our minds. We need to release the emotional attachment to it. Allow the memories to be just memories. If you think back to what you used to wear in the third grade, usually
there is no emotional attachment. It’s just a memory. It can be the same for all of the past events in our lives. As we let go, we become free to use all of our mental power to enjoy this moment and to
create a great future.
You don’t have to keep punishing yourself for the past.
- List all of the things you’re willing to let go of.
- How willing are you to let go? Notice your reactions, and write them down.
- What will you have to do to let these things go? How willing are you to do so?
- For each thing you wrote down on your list, write a positive affirmation to help you release it.
Exercise: Letting Go
You will remember this exercise from day 4; at this stage of your development, letting go is a crucial exercise to release your negative thoughts. It takes a little practice for the routine to become a part of you.
We’re going to go through it once more now, but you should repeat this exercise whenever thoughts of difficulty come up. You will be able to relax completely in any situation.
As you read this, take a deep breath and, as you exhale, allow all the tension to leave your body. Let your scalp and your forehead and your face relax. Your head does not need to be tense in order for you to read. Let your tongue and your throat and your shoulders relax. You can hold a book with relaxed arms and hands.
Do that now. Let your back and your abdomen and your pelvis relax. Let your breathing be at peace as you relax your legs and feet.
Is there a big change in your body since you began the previous paragraph? Notice how much you hold on. If you are doing it with your body, you are doing it with your mind.
In this relaxed, comfortable position, say to yourself, “I am willing to let go. I release. I let go. I release all tension. I release all fear. I release all anger. I release all guilt. I release all sadness. I let go of all old limitations.
I let go, and I am at peace. I am at peace with myself. I am at peace with the process of life. I am safe.”
Exercise: Physical Releasing
Sometimes we need to experience a physical letting go. Experiences and emotions can get locked in the body. Screaming in the car with all the windows rolled up can be very releasing if we have been stifling our verbal expression. Beating the bed or kicking pillows is another harmless way to release pent-up anger or frustration. If you feel embarrassed or inhibited by the idea of expressing yourself so physically, say to yourself:
“I give myself permission to acknowledge my feelings and release past experiences.” Or if this is really not your style, play a sport such as tennis, or go running. A while ago, I had a pain in my shoulder for a day or two. I tried to ignore it, but it wouldn’t go away. Finally, I sat down and asked myself, “What is happening here? What am I feeling?”
I realized, “It feels like burning. Burning … burning … that means anger.
What are you angry about?”
I couldn’t think of what I was angry about, so I said, “Well, let’s see if we can find out.” I put two large pillows on the bed and began to hit them with a lot of energy.
After about twelve hits, I realized exactly what I was angry about. It was so clear. So I beat the pillows even harder and made some noise and released the emotions from my body. When I got through, I felt much better, and the next day my shoulder was fine.
Affirmations for Letting Go of the Past:
Make these affirmations part of your daily routine. Say them often in the car, at work, while looking in the mirror, or anytime you feel your negative beliefs surfacing.
- The past is over and cannot be changed. This is the only moment I can experience.
- I now choose to release every negative, destructive, fearful idea and thought from my mind and my life.
- It is healing to show my emotions. It is safe for me to be vulnerable.
- I release the need to blame anyone, including myself.
- My heart is open. I am willing to release all resistance.
- I now release anger in positive ways. I love and appreciate myself.
- I move beyond old limitations and now express myself freely and creatively.
- I am willing to release the need to be unworthy. I am becoming all that I am destined to be.
- It is safe for me to go beyond my parents’ limitations. I am free to be me.
- I release all struggle now, and I am at peace.
- I release any limitations based on old, negative thoughts. I joyfully look forward to the future.
- I say “Out!’ to every negative thought about the past that comes into my mind.
- I release any feelings of competition or comparison from the past.
Ref:. Louise L. Hay – 21 Days Affirmations
