Let the Boats Go

I was facilitating a New Moon Women’s circle last month and one of my sisters was sharing around letting things go and this phrase came out of her mouth and something shifted within me. I think the whole room felt it as we took a collective breath at these 4 simple words, “let the boats go”.  These four words struck a chord deep in my soul that continued to resonate for weeks afterwards. 

Let the boats go..these words created such an image in my mind. People who hold on to the boats in the midst of a storm, clinging to the ropes that anchor them to the docks, fighting the wind, the water, even the boat’s desire to be freed from its tether. Until they are left with no choice, they will have to let go or they risk their own demise. 

So much depth in these words. How many times have I been the one holding on, the one not willing to let go, the one unable to see that the boat cannot be held any longer?

In recent years—and even in the months and weeks that have passed—I’ve faced many shadows and mirrors. These moments have revealed parts of myself I once avoided or failed to acknowledge, but with each encounter, I’ve integrated and embraced them. I’ve learned to see the light within the shadows and the lessons hidden within the reflections of the mirrors. Each time I reach the point of letting go, I find myself questioning why I held on in the first place. What purpose did this tether serve for my soul, for my growth? At times, I cannot find the answer.  I suppose, at one point, it may have offered protection or a sense of safety and security, but that is no longer needed. I am safe. I am secure. I am protected. I don’t need armor to prove it—I am strong enough on my own.

Some boats are harder to release, and one in particular is deeply tied to my heart. It's held me back from fully stepping onto my path.The love I feel for this place, my home for the last decade, is what holds this boat now. This place has shaped me in powerful ways, and I’m certain I haven’t yet fully grasped all it has given me. The souls here—both young and old—call to my heart, urging me to hold on. But the storm has arrived, and I can’t hold on any longer. It’s time to let go, and it’s heart-wrenching. These souls, whom I love so dearly, are family to me. Some I’ve known since their infancy, and I’ve watched them grow, while others have become family along the way. 

Though these connections ebb and flow over the years, I have remained constant, as is my nature. I’ve been the steady presence, the one who holds firm through change, offering support and consistency to those around me. But in my constancy, I’ve unknowingly become stagnant. I’ve clung to what was familiar, not realizing that my roots have grown deep in a place that no longer allows me to stretch or grow. Now, the storm rises within me, my soul’s call urging me that it’s time—to expand, to grow, and to share myself with the world in a greater way. Many paths lie ahead, and more will unfold as I surrender in trust. I trust that the next step, the next adventure, and the next deepening of my heart will come because I allowed myself to love so fully in this space to begin with.