Detachment

    One of my greatest challenges is practicing detachment;   " letting go of our need to find pleasure, comfort, or satisfaction in things, people, ideas, customs, etc."  When achieved this state of being allows me to be truly present to the moment and let it exactly what it needs to be.  Unfortunately,  it isn't easy.  The habits of taking things personally, owning responsiblity for every situation,  assigning blame and passing judgement are ingrained.  They seem to be the default settings for reactions, especially when I am tired. 
   As I age, quite gracefully might I add, I am more aware of my responses.  I can often catch myself and name what it is I am doing.  However, unhooking from the emotion is something else altogether.  It requires that I take a step back when what I really want to do is step into it.  Mostly, nothing good comes of it when I enter the fray.  Tempers flare.  Feelings get hurt.  Hearts get broken.  Words which can not be retracted get said.  The goal is to move back into the deepest place where love is the only thing.  A place where the love that is known is the love of the Divine, of the Universe ,which is not dependent on human approval or possessions.  This love is the source of our being; the cradle of our lives.  Immersed in that love,  I remain at peace and am able to deal with others with love and grace. 
   The days are coming, I hope, when that place will be where I spend most of my days.  For now, I visit more and more frequently and am thankful for time spent there.