Ahmad Al Charif

Sometimes, i get this sinking feeling that i am in a world where i do not belong. Allow me to elaborate, because i am sure that i am not alone in this. When this happens, i feel this sudden chill wash over me, and my body feels much heavier. Much like as if I’m suddenly moving in water. I look around me, and everything just starts to slow down significantly, while people and objects become out of focus. Certain things however, stand out.

This happens, often when i least expect it. I could be out with friends, at the office working, driving in traffic, etc… It makes no difference where i am, this always came back to haunt me, though i could never figure it out. I cannot exactly pinpoint when it started, just that it bothered me that it did for the longest time, without me understanding why.

At first, it used to freak me out. I used to panic, and immediately try to engage in something that would snap me out of it. A meaningless conversation, a quick phone call, maybe TV if I’m alone. Anything will do. Let the race pick up from this unscheduled pit-stop!

But then a few years ago, as i learned to listen more intently, and walked down a much different path in life, these moments gained an entirely new meaning.

They became a blessing, much awaited and enjoyable moments. Because rather than fight it, i learned to let go completely, and see what was in store for me. It is really astounding how the same thing can flip over completely from being a nightmare, into being a joy by a mere change of perspective.

Surrendering to these moments, allowed me to get in touch with something more profound, and meaningful than anything i ever knew. It gave me peace, and tranquility. It brought a smile onto my face, and it helped me understand many things that i would have otherwise still been struggling with to this day. And this all happens naturally. With minimal effort from my part.

Letting go, might seem like a difficult thing to you at first, in a world where you must be on top of everything, all the time, but it really isn’t. All it takes is the will, and the faith. The belief that letting go once in a while, is truly the most positive thing for you to do. Not unlike the process of healing when you get sick. you take the medicine, and you rest. You let go, believing it will pass. And eventually it does. Though the more you rest, the more you let go, the easier it becomes.

Not everything in life should be a struggle, and sometimes you need to embrace what is coming your way.

I have a lot of theories about what these sinking moments are for me, what they represent. But that is irrelevant for the sake of this article.

Many people get to experience this sinking feeling quite a number of times in their lives. Most of them spend it freaking out. Eventually, it fades into a distant memory, and then seemingly dies.

But humor me, even for a moment.

Dig deep within your memories, try to remember when was the last time You had a sinking moment. Did you allow it to take over you? Did you surrender to it completely?

Did you feel a chill run pleasantly down your spine, as you suddenly made sense of something that had been haunting you for a while?

Or did you simply shake it off, and get on with your life?

Let go, once in a while. Let go of needless arguments that you can never win. Let go of the endless army of needs you have conditioned yourself to believe you cannot live without.

Take a really long, and deep breath. Do it now, and as you exhale Just… Let… Go…

There.