Goodbye/Hello

Years ago, my former minister preached a sermon on life as a series of “Good-Byes and Hellos.” After taking the message in, I began to see how this flows throughout our lives. Some good-byes can be with grief and loss, Some people leave with our being relieved that we have been able to sever ties with someone that no longer fits, has created pain, or we have outgrown. We have lost someone near and dear to us. We have cleaned out our house or apartment of things that used to have importance and a special memory and no longer have much if any meaning. We can hold onto things and people as familiar and comfortable. We even hang onto things and people out of a sense of obligation, the keeper of the keepsakes out of loyalty and family tradition.

We embrace most hellos as welcome news, welcome experiences and adventures as well as opportunities and new people. These hellos can be joyful; some can be seen as challenges, even an occasional unwelcome one (for growth).

By letting a good-bye happen, I believe it creates room for another hello. I would be anxious about being between jobs and while applying, I was hopeful that this one will be the “one.” Same can be said for many others such as a partner, item we were hoping to get on Ebay or Craig’s List or even waiting for it to be on sale or what looks like a perfect opportunity. It feels like it slips through our fingers and there is a sense of loss. As time moved on, I did get a much better job than what I interviewed for previously. What seemed like such disappointments made way for a better fit. Oftentimes, we are not able to see the outcomes nor understand why this did not work out until time has passed. Looking back, I can see that it generally works out better now; that it is a blessing.

A friend tried to get his old job back. When it was not to be, he was unhappy about it. Later on, he saw there were major changes to his old position and it was not the position he had before. Time adds clarity to why.

Also, as we grow and change, our old friends do not seem to “fit” as well while some are as comfortable as an old bathrobe. We are going and growing in different directions. We can honor that history and appreciate being here for each other (good-byes) as we grow into the next stage. With this growth, we will connect with other people (hellos) who are similar paths, enriching our life now. Letting go, saying and feeling good-bye creates space and other opportunities as we can welcome hellos.