Detach and Let Go With Love

   Learning to love ourselves by facing our feelings, embracing them and accepting them is a major step toward healthy living. Once we take that step, we will find that it is only the first of many necessary changes we will be making in our lives. These changes will all bring about positive results, but none of these changes will be easy.

   One of the most difficult changes we will need to make will involve our relationships with others. Like Gwen (Sandra Bullock) in the film 28 Days, we will find that some of our old friends and lovers are toxic for us. After Gwen left treatment, there was little doubt that she’d have to let go of her old lifestyle and all of those who are still living addictively if she wanted to remain sober.

   Gwen does what she has to do concerning Jasper, her fiancé. She walks away from the relationship, but she does so without animosity. In other words, Gwen detaches from Jasper with love. She’s not angry with him and she does not insult or belittle him. Nor does she try to fix or rescue him from his alcoholism. She simply walks away knowing that she must do what’s right and healthy for herself. By choosing to walk away from Jasper and other old friends, Gwen sets an important boundary. She tells the world around her that she will no longer live life in a drunken oblivion. Likewise, by walking away, she tells Jasper that his choice to be drunk is no longer acceptable behavior to her.

   It can be very difficult to walk away, or detach with love, from people we care about. But doing so forces them to make a decision about their relationship with us. They can either accept that we have set a boundary and honor it, or they themselves can walk away, too. For example, Gwen’s boundary certainly would make Jasper think. If he truly loves Gwen and really wants her in his life, then he must accept her boundary and learn to change his behavior. In other words, he must decide to face himself and become sober, too. If he doesn’t really love Gwen, then he will allow her to walk away and he will find a new drunken lover for himself.

   Gwen can’t determine the outcome, but either way she wins. If Jasper sobers up the two of them might live happily together. If he doesn’t, then Gwen is free to find the man who is truly right for her.

   And the same is true for us. Many of us want to hold on to old relationships because we are fearful. We are afraid that if we detach with love, we will be left alone with no one to love us. Instead of trusting that God has a plan for our lives that involves healthy relationships with new people, we worry that no one else will want us if we say goodbye to those who have actually been toxic for us.

    We need to stop worrying. God does have a positive plan for our lives, and we need to partner with God to ensure a bright future for ourselves. God will be there to help us face our feelings. And God will assist us in our choice to take our power back from our feelings as we release ourselves from addictive acting-out. All we have to do is ask for that help every step of the way.

   Likewise, God will be there to help us to set new healthy boundaries with others. God will also assist us to detach with love from those who choose to remain toxic for us. And God will place new healthy people into our lives.

PRAYER: God grant me the ability to let go. First, I need the grace to let go of my fears. I have many. I’m afraid of setting boundaries and I’m afraid of being abandoned by people who have been close to me. I’m also afraid that if they leave my life, I will be left loveless. So please, Lord, help me to let go of my worries and trust that You will move my life and relationships forward in every beautiful way possible. Amen.