Liberation of complacency usually results from release of attachment to an expectation. In order to acquire fulfillment one must surrender uncontrollable worries.

I encountered this epiphany through a traumatizing experience. In April of 2013, I sat Indian-style on my beige carpet in my room with my face in the palm of my hands, weeping like an infant. An abundant amount of papers lie carelessly stacked on one side of me, an opened pill bottle filled with narcotics on the other side. As my playlist transitioned through my speakers, "Get the Picture" by Joe Budden played. The introduction states "Lord, grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change, courage to change the things I can and wisdom to know the difference" This song in particular remains a favorite of mine, but at that moment I perceived it on a more superior level. Everything clicked. Self-destruction, whether physically or by allowing myself to remain mentally oppressed, is not a practical solution. That night, after suffering from internal conflicts that led to a depression diagnosis, I learned three inestimable lessons while recognizing the significance of letting go of the unattainable.

The earliest lesson consists of learning not to set expectations of anyone. After suffering a great deal of depression, I made an inference that assumptions lead to discouragement. One could have good intentions and still display ignorance. We all have been taught to set expectations. I realized pain stemmed from disappointments. Of the five stages of grief, I settled in the fourth phase for entirely too long. For example, allowing attachment through an expectation to someone gives that person the power to hurt you. I've endured this hurt and suffering, which led me to my first depression diagnosis. My inference states that expectations equal assumptions. Assuming means that I continue to remain unreasonable with myself. Prohibit the act of setting expectations of someone else; similarly, note that attempting to live up to another’s expectations causes unhappiness as well. Refusing to rely on expectations has the potential to help minimize a broken heart. Although controlling how life operates remains uncontrollable, keeping a positive mindset is manageable.

Subsequently, I gradually learned that apprehension might hinder prosperity. Living in fear creates reluctance to anything exterior to a comfort zone. I say that I gradually learned because at first I hesitated from lack of assurance. To a degree, I developed awareness of my hesitance. Aside from that, my ideas still remained stronger than my execution to make the necessary modifications. I continued to run away from all unfamiliar feelings, which made me then realize I needed an escape from my own comfortable misery. I restricted myself to living in the past by living in fear. Former engagements with distress shouldn't interfere with future desires, yet staying knowledgeable of past distress is sometimes helpful. Recollecting how a situation caused certain emotions is how you learn from a mistake. Learning something only counts if you apply the lesson.

The next lesson I ended up obtained awareness on is not to hold a grudge. Holding onto something indelible is self-harm. I'm still in the process although I comprehend the importance of retrieving happiness through forgiveness. I must let go to embrace the future, right? At first, My pride was hurt by the thought of forgiveness, yet I had to ignore my pride. Accomplishing this may take forever, but it is still possible. Some people say to forgive and forget, but I believe the ability to neglect highlighted memories sits beyond the bounds of possibility. Love the process of change. Forgiveness contributes to a healthy mind. Speak peace into existence and achieve self-fulfilling prophecies. Besides, holding onto a grudge gives the perpetrator ceaseless mental attendance. Let go.

I grew aware of the importance of letting go following the analysis of my dejection, which provoked me to learn three valuable lessons. Setting expectations provides a false sense of hope and apprehension and causes missed opportunities, and holding a grudge denies self-fulfillment. All three of these hindrances present illusions of control. In order to experience deliverance, emancipate the unreachable. By letting go, I made a bold statement declaring that I choose contentment over bitterness.