The concept and ideal timing of letting go are difficult to precisely define because, on the one hand, it's important to remain persistent and determined even in less than perfect circumstances. On the other hand, it's equally essential to recognize when it's time to move on from a hopeless situation. Recognizing where this dividing line lies is not the simplest task, and we aim to assist you with it by providing the following suggestions. Of course, we haven't forgotten about children; in the second part of the article, you'll find some related practical exercises on the topic of letting go. Let's first look at the suggestions!

STOP…

…internalizing

In Jon J. Muth's children's picture book, "Zen Shorts," among others, there are stories of two traveling monks who, one day upon arriving in town, encounter a noblewoman. She steps out of her sedan chair, but due to earlier heavy rain, there are muddy puddles that would soil her beautiful silk robe. So, she just stands there on the last step of the sedan chair, impatiently arguing with her attendants, demanding to be carried across the puddles. Since her luggage cannot be placed on the ground because of the mud, the attendants cannot help. Seeing this scene, the elder monk approaches, puts the woman on his back, and carries her across, but instead of thanking him, she pushes him away and leaves. The two monks continue on their way, and the younger one reflects on what happened. After a few hours, unable to contain his anger any longer, he says, "That woman was incredibly selfish and rude, yet you still carried her across, and she didn't even thank you!" The older monk calmly responds, "I let go of the woman hours ago. Why are you still carrying her with you?"