The Life That Is Waiting
Posted: 07/14/2010 Filed under: Quotes, Thoughts | Tags: e.m. forster, letting go, life, when one door closes 4 Comments »We must be willing to let go of the life we have planned,
so as to have the life that is waiting for us.
- E. M. Forster (1879-1970)
I fought this lesson for most of my twenties. Finally, in my early thirties, I have been learning (and accepting) it. It has not been an easy process, but I will tell you: the life that was waiting is proving more wonderful than the life I, for so long, had believed I should be living.
All this is to say: never be afraid to let go of the plans and beliefs and goals that no longer fit, no matter how long you’ve held them. Be willing to close a door. It really is true that others will open.
(And for the parties who may worry that this post signals an abandonment of the thesis: it does not. Don’t fret!)
a phrase comes to mind “easier said than done”. My question is: how do we know when to let go?
Oh, it certainly has not been easy. And I don’t maintain that it will be smooth sailing from here on out, either! In my case, making the decision has taken years, in which I drove myself into physical illness and deep sadness trying to hold onto a life that just wasn’t for me. I guess my answer to you is: you will let go when you are ready. But have no fear when you do!
I love your post and it makes me reflect a lot. It is so difficult to accept when it is time to let go or to close a chapter and to start a new one. When we close a chapter we are always scared and we never think that a new chapter is there ready to unfold. How difficult it is to live our life fully!
Thank you! You are right: letting go and making changes are difficult! Sometimes, it helps if I remind myself that most of the things worth doing in life are difficult. That reminder doesn’t always convince me it’s time to change… but often enough, it does. =)