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Let It Serve A Purpose or Let It Go // and a giveaway

April 12, 2017 by Rachel 41 Comments

This post may contain affiliate links

Something amazing happened yesterday. I didn’t expect it. It wasn’t major. But it changed me.

Without getting into the nitty gritty details, almost 9 years ago, just as my husband and I started dating, a few incidents occurred with another person. This person was, by all accounts, a stranger to me. But was a friend of my husbands (boyfriend at the time). Again, I realize I’m being vague, but I’m doing so on purpose. But know this — it didn’t involve any form of cheating (after reading the first few lines, I realize that this could easily be incorrectly assumed); it was just a psychological incident to which I was an innocent bystander. And for many years, it caused me a good deal of anxiety.

I constantly wondered if we would run into this person. If so, was I equipped to emotionally handle it? Randomly I would have nightmares about her and the situation.

But, over the years I thought about it less and less. Time heals all wounds, right? Well, that’s what I thought. Until recently when this person randomly walked into a gymnastics class I’m teaching with her son. I was.. caught off guard. I texted my husband and he said, “She probably doesn’t even know who you are. Relax.”

The weeks went by and every single class I thought about how this person and I have so much in common — and this common experience — but technically we do not know each other. And it haunted me a little just to know that this whole situation was within arms reach. Literally.

And yesterday, after about 10 weeks of interacting with her and talking with her and getting to know her and her son (and feeling like a total phony for staying at arms reach), I finally spoke up.

I said, “Okay. So. There’s no way for me to say this without me sounding like a crazy person.”

Immediately she smiled as if she knew exactly what I was going to say. So I said it. Well, I said it kinda wrong, but I said it.

And she literally breathed a sigh of relief. She said “I know who you are. I just didn’t know if you knew who I was. And I’ve owed you an apology for many years. I wasn’t in a good place and I’m very sorry.”

And we hugged. And I told her that Chad always said we would get along swimmingly, and that over the last 10 weeks, I knew he was right. But that the air needed to be cleared.

But then she said something that really surprised me… she thanked me. She thanked me for clearing the air and being braver than she was by bringing up the elephant in the room.

And THAT — that was what really got me. Both of us had been tiptoeing around an uncomfortable situation. We both had agonized for years over something that haunted us, but it took this single act of bravery and humility (on both of our parts) for us really to be at peace with the situation.

I immediately felt a huge weight lifted off of my shoulders — one that I didn’t even realize I was still carrying around with me after all these years.

What if I had never spoken up? What if I had never gone far beyond my comfort zone and approached her about the elephant in the room? And I started thinking about every other thing I’m emotionally holding onto and how much it’s holding me back from truly enjoying life.

So I’m making it my mission for the remainder of 2017 — to let go of things that do not serve a purpose and to accept more of what does. Bring on all the positive, bye to all the negative!

While there’s nothing like a random Tuesday morning slap-in-the-face from the universe, there’s also absolutely nothing like a giveaway, am I right!?

Remember those Freshly Picked moccasins that Remy absolutely loves!? Well, I’m hosting a giveaway for a pair! Use the rafflecopter widget below!

a Rafflecopter giveaway
You and your little one will absolutely love them! So soft and beyond adorable. And this is just one way that I can keep passing on the good vibes I’m riding high on from yesterday! xo

 

*Disclosure: I received one pair of Freshly Picked moccasins in exchange for a giveaway. As always, all opinions are my own.*

Filed Under: #MomLife, giveaway, goals, life, marriage, mommyhood, sponsor, wellness Tagged With: #MomLife, giveaway, goals, life, marriage, mommyhood, motherhood, sponsor, wellness

Previous Post: « Life Lately // and a Mantra
Next Post: Explore Ohio // Downtown Akron »

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Rachel

    April 12, 2017 at 8:29 am

    I love the textured brown moccs! And a little less practical but I love the camo too!

    Great post and fab giveaway:)

    Reply
  2. Heather

    April 12, 2017 at 8:32 am

    Kudos to you for being the bigger and stronger person! Situations like that are so hard and awkward. I will try to remember this advice if I am ever in a similar situation!

    Reply
  3. LeAnne Shepard

    April 12, 2017 at 9:58 am

    What a beautiful story of grace and bravery.

    Reply
  4. Tamara @ Parenting 2 Home Kids

    April 12, 2017 at 10:37 am

    Thank-you for this story. It seems that sometimes the smallest thing can make the biggest difference. When I saw the title of this post I thought it would be about decluttering stuff. In a way this decluttering of thoughts and emotions can make an even bigger difference.

    Reply
  5. kaley branch

    April 12, 2017 at 11:25 am

    Absolutely loved this! I definitely needed this beautiful little reminder (and a couple deep breaths) this morning. 🙂

    Reply
  6. Amy Jones

    April 12, 2017 at 11:34 am

    It’s amazing the things that take up space in our thoughts. How relieving for both of you! It’s certainly a gift. Thank you for sharing!

    Reply
  7. Joanna

    April 12, 2017 at 12:54 pm

    I am honestly in tears reading this. “to let go of things that do not serve a purpose and to accept more of what does.” My brother died at the beginning of this year, and that has been my motto every since. Life is to short to hold to things that don’t hold a purpose.

    Reply
  8. Stacey Roberson

    April 12, 2017 at 1:26 pm

    I love Freshly Picked! The Flower Power are my favorite.

    Reply
  9. Krysten

    April 12, 2017 at 2:36 pm

    You are much braver than I would be in the same situation. I tend to ignore things till they go away.

    Reply
  10. Corey | The Nostalgia Diaries

    April 12, 2017 at 3:46 pm

    It feels so freeing to stop carrying weight around like this. Here’s to being brave!

    Reply
  11. Heather S

    April 12, 2017 at 7:13 pm

    I love love love the Marbled Rose pair!

    Reply
  12. Charissa | thenotsobusymom

    April 12, 2017 at 8:00 pm

    These mocs are so cute!! My kids are too big for them, but I have a friend who is expecting. They would make a great gift!!

    And thank you for sharing your story. How often do we hold onto things unnecessarily? Too often!

    Reply
  13. Silvia

    April 13, 2017 at 12:45 am

    This is such a beautiful story! I love this mantra!

    Reply
  14. Andrea

    April 13, 2017 at 7:50 am

    I absolutely loved this! I firmly believe in “letting go” and the way you described it and expressed it on this post is truly eye opening and inspiring. Thanks for sharing such a wonderful and brave story!

    Reply
  15. Larissa

    April 13, 2017 at 9:14 am

    It’s always hard to be the person that brings it up for several different reasons. I find the main reason I have trouble with it is that I don’t know how the person is going to react. I think it’s amazing you were able to bring it up, and amazing also that she was so receptive. Hopefully, I’ll have the courage to do so, if I’m on either end of a similar situation.

    Reply
  16. Erica @ Coming Up Roses

    April 13, 2017 at 9:59 am

    PERFECT idea here. You’re so right. If it’s not serving us for good, we can’t let it sit around and serve us negatively!

    Coming Up Roses

    Reply
  17. Amy

    April 13, 2017 at 10:09 am

    Wow… good for you! Stepping outside your comfort zone is hard to do… I’m not sure if I would have had the guts to do what you did.

    Reply
  18. Rachel

    April 13, 2017 at 10:58 am

    My favorite moccasins are the textured weathered brown .

    Reply
  19. Belle

    April 13, 2017 at 11:11 am

    Such a beautiful story! Love it! Yes, let it go or let it serve a purpose!

    Belle | One Awesome Momma

    Reply
  20. Sara

    April 13, 2017 at 1:41 pm

    I’ve been in similar situations. Bravo for choosing courage.

    Reply
  21. Vicki @ Babies to Bookworms

    April 13, 2017 at 7:46 pm

    Wow, what a great lesson for life. We spend so much of our time worrying about things when we don’t have to!

    Reply
  22. Amanda | My Own Unexpected Journey

    April 13, 2017 at 7:48 pm

    Life can be so crazy! What a blessing though, that you both found one another after so many years, so that you could make amends and have closure.

    Reply
  23. Sheila Jo

    April 13, 2017 at 10:41 pm

    Good for you for clearing the air! Glad it turned into a positive experience!

    Reply
  24. Hannah

    April 14, 2017 at 1:02 am

    I’m so glad you handled it so kindly and courageously! From your account it sounds like it was a weight off both of your chests.

    Reply
  25. Nicole Banuelos

    April 14, 2017 at 2:10 am

    Such a great reminder and love the giveaway!

    Reply
  26. Sincerely Miss J

    April 14, 2017 at 7:59 am

    You are so right! In order to move forward, we must let go of our past. 🙂
    Such a great giveaway! Adorable mocassins!

    Sincerely Miss J
    http://www.sincerelymissj.com

    Reply
  27. Ilka Elise

    April 14, 2017 at 8:32 am

    I agree a 100% if it doesn’t serve it’s purpose or makes you happy, let it go. <3

    Reply
  28. Angela Fry

    April 14, 2017 at 11:39 am

    Wow. What an amazing post. I have had a similar experience that I need to get rid of too. Working up the courage…

    Reply
  29. Amanda Rinehart

    April 14, 2017 at 3:34 pm

    What a mature and TRUE revelation. I could personally learn to practice more of this in my life. I am naturally a grudge holder ( I can’t help it!) but I could definitely put more effort into letting negative things go.

    Reply
  30. Kristyn Schultz

    April 14, 2017 at 4:23 pm

    I’ve had a similar experience. I don’t think I will ever have a chance of clearing the air, as we now live hours away. But I can imagine your anxiety when you saw her that first class. If I ever happen to run into my similar experience, I will try to remember your post and be brave!

    Reply
  31. Bailey

    April 14, 2017 at 7:05 pm

    Amen! That’s my mantra this year. Trying to pair down and live with what I want not with what everything thinks I need.

    Reply
  32. Patrice Walker

    April 14, 2017 at 8:19 pm

    Thank goodness for growth. I have so many situations that I can walk away from with my head held high thanks to life lessons.
    Glad to see you’ve come to a place of peace.

    Reply
  33. Dianne

    April 15, 2017 at 12:49 am

    I love the heirloom and platinum 🙂

    Reply
  34. Catia

    April 15, 2017 at 11:03 am

    I love that it was resolved in such a peaceful way!! And I’m so glad you spoke up – that can be so daunting.

    Reply
  35. Patricia

    April 15, 2017 at 11:34 am

    This is so powerful. Love these moccs too!!

    Reply
  36. kenny hall

    April 16, 2017 at 12:34 am

    I love this story. Thank you for sharing. The moccasins are also adorable, I love the flower power.

    Reply
  37. Nicki

    April 17, 2017 at 12:48 am

    I love the platinum because it would go with so much!:)

    Reply
  38. Susan

    April 17, 2017 at 1:00 am

    The dalmation moccasins are so cute!
    You had a lot of courage! Good for you for saying something.

    Reply
  39. Stefanie

    April 17, 2017 at 3:05 pm

    I’m so glad that you were able to clear the air and let go of the past. XOXO

    Reply
  40. Carmen Clement

    April 18, 2017 at 2:50 am

    Beehive State ?

    Reply
  41. Amy Smith

    April 18, 2017 at 10:13 am

    Wow this really spoke to me. Our lives can feel so weighed down when we choose to carry things we were never meant to carry. Thank you for this honest story.

    Reply

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