Sunday, January 26, 2014

Let It Go

"Don't let them in, don't let them see
Be the good girl you always have to be
Conceal, don't feel, don't let them know
Well, now they know.
Let it go."

Childhood good girl, that was me. Someone even signed my high school year book saying, "You're the kid all our parents wanted us to be." Yup. That was me...the good girl. The only place I felt free to let people in, to let them see, was when I was borrowing the words of others and acting a part in a play. As a young adult, when I took on the role of minister's wife, my expertise at playing the good girl seeped right into my "spiritual" life....and it took me a lot of years to unravel the differences between spiritual and religious. 
Religion can trap us. 
Spirituality has the potential to set us free!

"It's funny how some distance
Makes everything seem small
And the fears that once controlled me
Can't get to me at all....
Let it go."

It is funny. I've worked hard to get the "shoulds" out of my head. Out of my soul! I've worked hard to take responsibility for the fact that I allowed other people to dictate how I was supposed to feel and act. And it's good. The taking responsibilty stuff.....except that instead of blaming others, it can be hard not to blame myself. To be mad at myself. But the words of this song ring true for me...the more distance there is between now and then. Between me and the people I yielded to...the smaller it all seems. And the fear has been replaced by peace. And freedom. 

"Let it go. Let it go.
That perfect girl is gone.
Here I stand.
In the light of day.
Let the storm rage on,
The cold never bothered me anyway."
{Lyrics from Frozen}

.....me thinks I should see this movie!!

Linking up with Kathy for
Song-ography

12 comments:

  1. Oh, this was beautiful!! I too struggle to balance the religious and spiritual. I'll have another new appreciation for this song, now! Stay warm, too!!

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  2. Beautiful sentiments. Releasing the fear of what others think really does bring us to peace and freedom, doesn't it? I really love the feathery frost photo.

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  3. I know exactly what you mean about balancing the religious and the spiritual and knowing the difference. This will be a lifelong learning area for me, too. Your photo speaks of peace. I'm glad to hear you are finding freedom and peace in your life.

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  4. Great take on this song's message. I especially love how you point out the difference between religion and spirituality... something to ponder further...
    p.s. I just love frost flowers on windows - why don't we ever get any in this fr...n' cold?!

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  5. I think many can relate to this. I think over the years I've had to come to an understanding between religious, spiritual, and coming full circle to relational. In my mind both religious and spiritual can be works based. With relational, I try to picture God just wanting my heart and to know me, and let me know Him. It's all semantics, I suppose, but it helps me to think this way.

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  6. I like what you said....great thoughts! And lovely photos to go with.

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  7. Adrienne...have you seen the movie? I read your words and think that "I" could have written them myself. Our experiences sound very similar. I am a self-professed "Disney Princess" non-fan. In fact, I use to have the Better Half take the kids to those movies when they were little because I just couldn't stand to sit thru them. BUT...THIS movie? It's a whole different story in my book. After reading your words, I think you would really enjoy the movie and see a lot of yourself in Elsa (I sure did!). And your photos...simply breathtaking! Especially the one of the detail of those ice formations on the window. WOW! Thanks for joining in at Song-ography! I thoroughly enjoyed your post and getting to know you just a bit better :)

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  8. That second / featherly crystal shot is magnificent. Very thoughtful post as well.

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  9. My oldest has seen the movie twice and was just telling me how she had Let it Go playing on a continuous loop the other day.
    BTW spirituality you have got by the bushel baskets, friend!

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  10. The shots are perfect. I love how you incorporated the lyrics of the song.

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  11. your images, as always, are gorgeous!!

    will you ever feel whole or satisfied. see yourself for the kind, loving soul you are??

    i am dragging the hubs to see this movie, as soon as i feel better!!

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  12. What a message you had here. It was great to see your interpretation of the song. I loved that last photo. - Sorry to be late commenting.
    http://wishesdreamsandotherthings.blogspot.com/2014/01/song-ography-let-it-go-edition.html

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