When you hold on too tightly, you’re the one who takes the fall.
How a Dog Walk Taught Me the Power of Letting Go
Life has a funny way of teaching us lessons through everyday moments. Last week, I walked straight into one of those lessons—literally.
I was out with my dog when he spotted a couple of squirrels. Without hesitation, he bolted after them. As I watched the retractable leash extend further and further, I knew exactly what was about to happen.
Fifteen feet. That was the limit.
And sure enough, when the cord reached its maximum length, my shoulder jerked, and before I could react—BOOM. SPLAT.
I hit the ground.
The Unexpected Lesson in the Fall
A year ago, this would have left me seriously injured. But after a year of strength training, I was able to get up, shake off the dust, and realize that the only thing truly wounded was my pride.
But as I reflected on the moment, I saw a much deeper lesson unfolding right before my eyes.
Holding On vs. Letting Go
As the leash stretched, a small voice inside me knew what I should do. Let go. But I didn’t.
Why?
Because I was afraid that if I released my grip, my dog would run away. That fear overpowered my logic, and in the end, I was the one who got hurt.
And isn’t that exactly what we do in life?
We know when something isn’t working for us—yet we hold on.
We convince ourselves that if we just tighten our grip, everything will stay in place.
We fear that letting go means losing control, losing stability, or even losing ourselves.
But in reality, the opposite is true.
The Freedom in Surrender
Holding onto something that no longer serves us only prolongs the struggle. Whether it’s a relationship, job, belief, or expectation, clinging too tightly often causes more harm than release ever could.
Letting go isn’t giving up—it’s making space for something better.
Just like with the leash, surrender doesn’t mean losing everything—it means trusting that what’s meant for you will return in a way that serves your highest good.
What Are You Holding Onto?
Take a moment to reflect:
🔹 Are you gripping something out of fear?
🔹 Is there a situation you know deep down you need to release?
🔹 What would happen if you loosened your grip—even just a little?
Letting go isn’t easy. But when we finally release, we make room for freedom, growth, and solutions we never imagined possible.
And sometimes, we save ourselves from an unnecessary fall.
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Posted by Jean Adrienne