Let go (of your inner critic)

I heard this song once at my son's school play and the words resonated with me. It's a cute song from a childhood fave - "Pinocchio". Simple yet so profound:

"I’ve got no strings,
To hold me down
To make me fret
Or make me frown

I had strings
But now I’m free
There are no strings on me
Hi o the merio, that's
the only way to be!

I want the world to know
nothin' ever worries me

I’ve got no strings so I have fun
I’m not tied up to anyone
They've got strings but
you can see there are no strings on me!"

We get so caught up in life sometimes with bills, self-imposed schedules, errands, people-pleasing, (insert your own quandry here) that we forget to LIVE. We forget what it means to truly be FREE!

Children are the BEST examples of how to enjoy life! Kids have the most fun! Ever listen to a child laugh? It is innocent...genuine...natural...they have fun with reckless abandon. They enjoy little things like coloring, blowing bubbles, running through sprinklers. They are honest (sometimes brutally so). They play with anybody (no race, color or creed is involved). They get messy: ketchup on their fingertips, they run through grass barefoot and stain their clothes. They dream of being firefighters and doctors, musicians and actors, teachers, athletes, astronauts and so much more.

Somewhere along the way, all possibilities of living life fervently become tarnished. "Can't" and "impossible" start to infiltrate our lives because we listen to the voices of those we love: family and friends. We hear "doubt" in their words so much that we begin to believe it; sometimes we even listen to the haters! Over time, our OWN voice echoes the same discouragement. We forget what we dreamt about as kids as "reality" settles around us. We trudge along from day-to-day, dragging those beliefs everywhere we go, and as we create our own families, we pass it right along to our children. We perpetuate the cycle.

But WE HAVE TO LET GO! Say it aloud a few times "I HAVE TO LET GO!"
We have to let go of our inhibitions, let go of our worries and stress! Let go of that toxic relationship, not only with a friend or spouse but with yourself! Many times WE are our own worst enemies!!! LET GO of the fear, LET GO of the negativity, LET GO of anything that causes you unhappiness or holding you back.
Hey, a ship can't set sail if its anchor is down right?

The bills will come, the kids don't have to go to every single sporting event known to man (they are NOT trying out for the Olympics!) ....have date night, wear your favorite dress, take 30 mins to color with your kids, or participate in whatever they're interested in - they just want to know you're there and you care.

And take time for yourself! Meditate, go to the spa, buy yourself an icecream and let it drip down your arm, whatever...the whole point is: HAVE FUN AND BE FREE!
ENJOY LIFE!