How to gently let go (yeah, it hurts)!
In 1998, the legendary Belgian singer Art Sullivan delivered, “Adieu, sois heureuse!”. I was a toddler who couldn’t connect two words when…
In 1998, the legendary Belgian singer Art Sullivan delivered, “Adieu, sois heureuse!”. I was a toddler who couldn’t connect two words when the song was released. It was on a radio station when I later listened to it, and I needed some mellow jams to get me to sleep.
It wasn’t until recently that I realised what was going on.
After talking with a friend grieving the death of a relationship, I decided to listen to it. It occurred to me that telling them farewell and wishing them happiness isn’t as straightforward or as seamless as the song suggests.
Do you think there is such a thing as true love? Yes, I do.
I’ve been there, and perhaps you have too, deeply in tune with the one to whom you promised the world and vowed your eternal allegiance, trust, and love. Their quips made your heart skip a beat, kept you up past midnight, and shattered your ribs. Yet, you shared meals, cried together, and savoured life together.
You left reasoning at the door and focused on your soul sync, which gave your life more meaning. But, unfortunately, it didn’t last as long as you had hoped, and you now had to let it go.
Before you close that chapter, I hope you made them feel the kind of love that makes them feel at ease: solid, comfy, lovely, and warm. I hope you liked the timing of it all and left them with beautiful memories because that is what they will remember about you.
I hope you loved them completely, with all of your heart, desire, care, and respect. I hope they never felt abandoned while you were present, even though you weren’t the only one seeking their attention.
You’ll be ready for the next round if the version you got is the one I hoped they’d have.
“Remember me with joy, for this is how I always thought of you. That is what I want, more than anything. I want you to smile when you think of me. And in your smile, I will live forever.” ― Nicholas Sparks, The Longest Ride.
Let it go gracefully for what it means; it’s not easy, but it’s the right thing to do for someone you care about. It’s thinking about how selflessness is a part of your being. It’s a humbling awakening to your brilliance. It recognises the uniqueness of each person in a relationship. It’s acknowledging that they have goals and are working toward them.
When they depart, gracefully letting go means parting ways without resentment, blame, or regrets, but rather with compassion, sacrifice, and selflessness.
“I love you so much that I just want you to be happy even if that happiness no longer includes me,” said Ira to Ruth in Nicholas Sparks’ novel, The Longest Ride.
What happens after the ending?
“People come, people go — they’ll drift in and out of your life, almost like characters in a favourite book. Then, when you finally close the cover, the characters have told their story, and you start up again with another book, complete with new characters and adventure.” — Nicholas Sparks.