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Goodbye vs Let go?
Earlier, I thought that these two terms are synonymous. But, with the passage of time, with my own set of life experiences and observations, I realized how different the two words are. Both imply separation but there is a huge difference in the two kinds of separation.
Goodbye is bidding adieu to someone, without knowing when you both will meet again, if you both will meet again ever. But, if you ever bump into each other again after some months or years, you both will hopefully greet each other with a smile and reminisce about the fond, past memories. You will shed a tear or two over the distance that prevailed for so long. You will perhaps apologize for not making an effort to get back in touch. You will be curious to know how the other person's life turned out after both of your paths separated.
Let go is something completely different. It is saying goodbye without hope. In let go, you have to replace hope with acceptance...acceptance of the fact that this person is gone from your life forever either by mutual decision or by any one of your decisions. It can be that both of you would never meet again in this life. It can be that even if you both see each other in a cafe, you both won't acknowledge each other's presence. Let go is lifetime silence from the person, who once meant a lot to you. Let go is being okay with not being able to find out how the other person is doing even after say, twenty years or more.
Goodbye is bidding adieu with a tint of hope. Let go is saying goodbye with a tough acceptance that it's over, shedding all hope.
In our life, we meet so many people. We get extremely close to some of them and then after some time, our paths separate. Only a few people stay with us, year after year, decade after decade. They are so rare that you can actually count them on your fingers.
Dealing with separations gracefully is the art of life. But among these two kinds of separation, goodbye sounds a little easier and kinder to me.
What about you?
There is a third kind of separation too....when you extricate yourself forcibly realizing that to continue would be disastrous and detrimental to your sanity and survival. You are too young perhaps to experience this and I pray you never do.
ReplyDeleteI think that it is one kind of 'let go', realizing that the person is toxic for you and your well-being.
DeleteTo let go is the toughest but most crucial at certain points in life for our own good!
ReplyDeleteAbsolutely, Archana. I second you :)
DeleteVery well differentiated between the two. Let go_ is the painful one, it doesn't do what it say. We can 'let go' a person but the memories hunt us for the lifetime.
ReplyDeleteNice post Purbha :):):)
I totally agree with you, Prasanna. The memories hunt us often, even after we have let go of the person. Thanks for the wonderful comment :)
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ReplyDeleteOh! Loved this post.. It reminds me song of Frozen movie..
ReplyDeleteLet it go!
Thank you so much, Anjali.
DeleteI love that song :)
Very nicely you have brought out the distinction between the two Purba.
ReplyDeleteThank you dear :)
Delete"Dealing with separations gracefully is the art of life"- well said, Purba. :)
ReplyDeleteThank you :)
DeleteIn both the cases, what wait ahead the "separate" paths stays unknown. At times after letting go, u still find the paths meeting often. Quite a good take on this. Goodbye is a term we do use. Letting go is what we chose. Cheers.
ReplyDeleteTrue. No one knows the future. The people who leaves us do come back sometimes, apologizing and knocking our door. It's our choice then whether we accept them again. Thanks for the wonderful comment :)
DeleteTo be honest, this post actually bought tears in my eyes.
ReplyDeleteThe terrible phase I am going through right now is quite relatable to what all you have expressed.
A simple way to portray a complex situation with so much of depth and vitality!
Loved the way you have explained the thin line between the two! Soul stirring Purba... how I wish I could also express my thoughts on the same but life has turned seemingly complex! :'(
Yes, dear. I understand there are some times when it feels that we can't take it anymore. The letting go part mars and pierces our heart. But...as the clouds cannot rain forever, such phases also don't last in our lives forever. We become used to it. Having dealt with quite a many heart-breaking let go and goodbyes in my life, I can say that life is really complex and we need to create our own happiness to combat the complexities of life.
DeleteMore and more power to you, my strong and beautiful girl. Sending tons of love and good wishes your way <3
Thanks for this comment. I could connect a lot to you :)
Thank you so much for all the love and best wishes my dear! Your words motivated me to the core, I know life's a big challenge and I have learnt to face it the way you do. And yes, I truly connects with you darling. Hugs :')
DeleteAww...hugs :')
DeleteThey are poles apart! And you have described very well.
ReplyDeleteThank you, Indrani :)
Deleteloved this post. I am good at dealing with separation and let go at those moments but yes, am pathetic at handling memories later at other points in life.
ReplyDeleteDitto. I also handle such things well, but then the memories do torment at the most unexpected hours. Thank you, Roohi. Glad you liked the post :)
DeletePurba, truly letting go is when you can meet a person who you have let go, greet him or her, even chat and not feel any disturbing emotions or awkwardness. If you meet someone who has let go or vice versa and there is tension in the air, one or both has not let go.
ReplyDeleteIndeed. Something to ponder on. You have mentioned another side of the 'let go' thing. Thank you so much for this wonderful comment :)
DeleteThe quote is true and worthy and can be realized only with experience which we gain in life... I think it depends on circumstances and situation whether one needs to "let it go" or "good bye"... A very nice take on good bye and let go. A perfect post describing the difference among them...
ReplyDeletegreat post as always... :-)
Exactly, Ashish. It's the situation that makes us decide whether we should let it go or say good bye for the time being.
DeleteThank you so much :)
Good-byes are definitely a lot kinder; letting go is difficult, and painful. Great post, Purba.
ReplyDeleteTrue! Thank you so much for stopping by, Kiran :)
DeleteI very much agree with what you have conveyed here.. A nice Post and crisp Presentation, Purba!
ReplyDeleteI am so glad you liked it, Sir. Thanks a lot :)
DeleteYes a fine line separates the two.
ReplyDeleteTo learn to live (not just live with) 'let go' is the essence of life!
ReplyDeleteOne who lives it is an enlightened yogi indeed..
Your analysis is awesome, Purba!
You have put that beautifully, Sir. Thanks a lot :)
DeleteWhile i agree that let go is less hopeful than a good bye many a time you don't want to live on a false hope...you just want to let that person go so that you don't cross paths ever. Loved the perspective Purba!
ReplyDeleteExactly, staying with a false hope can be quite harmful to a person's being. Let go makes us shed that hope and accept the truth.
DeleteThanks dear. Glad you liked it :)
I never even gave it a thought before reading your post! I guess I am lucky I hardly had to let go of anyone in life. Crossing my fingers!
ReplyDeleteThat's wonderful, Mridula. Stay blessed always :)
DeleteWonderful and meaningful explanation.
ReplyDeleteThanks a lot :)
DeleteI dont beleive in either .. I think instead of Good bye is we say SEE YA.. that gives more hope ..
ReplyDeletebut your explanation is goood
Bikram's
Letting go is the toughest part but also it is the wise thing to do for both of them if necessary. Good post!
ReplyDeleteA Rat's Nibble
Sometimes you don't know whether to let go or no and that's the most difficult. But yes time heals everything.
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