Comments on: A Lesson in Letting Go

By: Michelle Russell

Michelle Russell — Tue, 13 Sep 2011 16:16:05 +0000

Interestingly, when I just looked him up online, the few sites I found were mostly in Spanish!
Michelle Russell recently posted..Holodecks and String Quartets

By: David

David — Thu, 08 Sep 2011 23:51:21 +0000

Ha ha — “left coast.” I learned tabla from Maharudra Dhumal, Ganeshpuri India.

By: Michelle Russell

Michelle Russell — Tue, 30 Aug 2011 15:42:59 +0000

Hey, David!

Yes, you read it right. And there’s a part of me that still can’t believe I tossed all those tapes, even after all this time. But it was like having an entire mountain in front of me, knowing that there were some nuggets of gold hiding below the surface but also (gradually) realizing that it was folly to expect myself to have time to dig through an entire mountain to find them.

And now I’m chuckling because I just looked up at my post and realized I’d used the “gold” analogy even when I wrote it.

I just checked your website and it looks like you’re up the “Left Coast” in Washington . . . is that where you learned tabla? Anyway, I’m glad you found me here, and I’m glad you enjoyed the post.

Leaving you with a “Dha – [ ] – Te-Re-Ki-Te-Ta-Ka” ! ;o)

By: David@ sell textbooks

David@ sell textbooks — Tue, 30 Aug 2011 04:51:28 +0000

Being a tabla player myself, I can imagine how much you treasured your tapes. And though I was *shocked* you threw them away (did I read that right?!?), I totally resonate with the feeling of freedom you had when you did so. That feeling actually “comes through” your post! I enjoyed reading it.
David@ sell textbooks recently posted..Sell Textbooks

By: Sue

Sue — Sat, 19 Sep 2009 14:54:10 +0000

And since throwing away the box, can you now play tabla with abandon?

By: Victoria Brouhard

Victoria Brouhard — Sat, 05 Sep 2009 18:37:56 +0000

Wow…I don’t think I ever realized the fact that much of the stuff I hang on to comes from feeling responsible to be the caretaker of whatever it is.

Much to ponder, there.

By: Michelle Russell

Michelle Russell — Mon, 31 Aug 2009 01:30:40 +0000

@Grace – Yes, I had the same thought about a huge yard sale–as in, I’m glad I didn’t. Because whatever money I might have made would NOT have been worth “yard sale” becoming another to-do item, and all the anguish and stress *that* would have caused.

@GirlPie – “For real this time” – LOL! I know *that* thought!

@Deborah – Thanks for your cheering! Yes, as everyone has been commenting, the relief is incredible.

Yay, everyone! Hmm . . . now I’m thinking about issuing the Great Dumping Challenge or something like that in a future post.

::walks off into the distance chuckling conspiratorially to self::

By: Deborah

Deborah — Mon, 31 Aug 2009 00:32:09 +0000

I so love this post! And I’m cheering you on, through your sadness, for this huge step. I think that’s such a huge lesson we all dance around with, revisiting again and again; but I have to say I’ve gotten better as I’ve gotten older. There is such huge relief from unfettering oneself from things that aren’t a source of joy. Here’s to more relief for you!!!

By: GirlPie

GirlPie — Sun, 30 Aug 2009 20:03:48 +0000

Great reminder that those boxes of my late mom’s stuff that I’m someday going to go through “for real this time” and file or mail off or god-knows-what is really just a box of papers (that the family’s already picked over_ and sometimes it’s JUST that and nothing more. You’ve got me thinking about shedding some dead weight around here — thanky!

By: Grace

Grace — Fri, 28 Aug 2009 20:54:00 +0000

Letting go of stuff – especially stuff that’s loaded down with “shoulds” and obligations – is so incredibly powerful.

Over the last few years, I’ve gradually eliminated enough that I could’ve had one truly amazing yard sale. I’m glad I didn’t save it all up for that, though.

And the projects – the unfinished projects – oh yeah. Some of the most amazing moments of freedom and spaciousness have come from the simple thought: that’s never going to be used/get done.

Yay, you!