Linda Kulp Trout

Thursday, January 8, 2015

LET IT GO!


I’ve been thinking about the One Little Word I want to guide me in 2015. I tried out a lot of words, but couldn’t seem to find THE ONE that felt right. 

Last Friday was my sixtieth birthday.  I had spent much of 2014 anticipating how turning 60 would change my life. It felt like the beginning of old age and the end of possibilities. I could have easily allowed myself to sink into a murky pool of despair, but I decided to celebrate my age instead. So, I reinvented my birthday and threw a party in honor of my friends and family to thank them for being an important part of my life.
 
We had a DJ , played trivia, sang karaoke, and laughed a lot.  What a fantastic time!
During the party, my four year old granddaughter, Evie, sang “Let it Go” from FROZEN. 
 
 
 
Every little girl seems to know the words to the song, and I’ve heard Evie sing it before but never really listened to these words. 

Let it go, let it go!
Can't hold it back any more.
Let it go, let it go!
Turn away and slam the door.
I don't care what they're going to say.
Let the storm rage on.
The cold never bothered me anyway.

It's funny how some distance,
makes everything seem small.
And the fears that once controlled me, can't get to me at all
It's time to see what I can do,
to test the limits and break through.
No right, no wrong, no rules for me.
I'm free!

-from Disney’s FROZEN
Read the rest of the lyrics here.

 
They were the right words at the right time, and suddenly it hit me. Turning sixty is the perfect time to let go of some of my notions about growing older. (My generation is fortunate to have many wonderful role models much older than me who are doing amazing things.) Sixty is the perfect time to release the fears and self-doubt that have held me back and kept me from moving forward.  Sixty is the perfect time to take some risks, try new things, and bravely become my own true me.

My One Little Word is RELEASE. I’m going to spend 2015 learning to let go and allow myself to flow freely in the direction of my dreams while enjoying every precious moment!

Have you chosen your One Little Word?  I'd love to hear about it!


 Tabatha is hosting today's Poetry Friday. 



 

14 comments:

  1. What a great word choice, and I love that it was inspired both by the song and by your granddaughter. And happy birthday!

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    1. Thank you, Sally. I'm really excited about seeing where my "word" leads me this year!

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  2. Happy 60th, Linda! That's a great song, and I can just see Evie singing it. :) RELEASE is perfect. Be free and brave and enjoy! I'll be thinking of you. xo

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    1. I think I'm at a time in my life when I'm ready to RELEASE those things that keep me from moving forward! Btw, I love your word too. WILD is an excellent choice. I'll be watching where it takes you!

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  3. Happy Birthday, Linda!! Sounds like you discovered the right word. Here's a "release" quote for you: “He judged the instant and let go; he flung himself loose into the stars.” ~Annie Dillard

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    1. "...he flung himself loose in the stars." Oh, thanks for the quote, Tabatha ! I love it!

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  4. Great party--great word! Mine is NOTICE.

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    1. I read about your word on your blog, Mary Lee. Great choice!

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  5. A perfect word! I'm turning 56 in March and was totally taken aback when I was offered a senior discount at a fast food restaurant this week! YIKES! I think release is a terrific word! And I love your inspiration!

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  6. Happy Birthday, Linda! I love how your granddaughter's song struck the right chord with you at the right time. My word is COURAGE. =)

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  7. Ack! I may have written "Carol" when I meant Linda! I apologize if I did! I'm trying to have the COURAGE to admit my mistakes.

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  8. A wonderful word. And I hope letting go allows you to take hold of many new things as you move onward!

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  9. Great word and great attitude about the big 6-0 (which I'm hurtling towards in a little more than a year, so I appreciate reading this!)

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  10. Happiest of Birthdays dear Linda! So glad that your granddaughter's song brought this form of release. I love that song. :)

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