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I read online that today is national "Let it Go Day."
I can take that as meaning one of two things.
First, I can let things go and not worry about them.
Like the dishes or the laundry. Or running the vacuum or cutting the grass.
Just let it go and not have to worry about it for those 24 hours.
And yet, whenever I actually do put things off and instead, focus on myself and do things which make me happy for a little while, I feel as if I haven't done anything productive with my day.
It is as if I have thrown away the time God gifted me.
Believe me, I would absolutely love to just lay around the house once in a while.
Just sit in an air-conditioned room and play games on my phone. Watch reruns of "Criminal Minds." Order carryout and eat chocolate cake.
But life doesn't always work out that way. Does it?
Now that I stop and reflect on my past, it seems as if I've wasted years and years of my life just cleaning the house.
A house that no one ever sees. Because no one ever visits.
Except me.
And on those rare occasions when the house is in a bit of disarray, that is when someone will stop by unexpectedly and want to come inside.
Every time.
Why?
Why does the world work that way?
Maybe it's just me.
Now, I could take the meaning of "Let it Go Day" to refer to the fact that when someone does you wrong, you need to just "let it go"
Let it go instead of getting angry or upset.
However, I find this definition to be much more difficult to accomplish than the first explanation.
So I think I may go with Option No. 1 and simply not do anything today.
Because it is extremely hard to bite your tongue all of the time. Especially in certain situations.
Believe me, I have held in so much garbage in my lifetime because I didn't want to hurt anyone's feelings by saying something negative.
Rather, I let those things build and build.
And build and build.
Until all of a sudden, the least little thing will set me off. Sets me off in such a way that I will create a scene meant only for the movies and soap operas.
And when it finally is released, it is usually upon some poor soul who is so unexpecting and so undeserving of such a tirade.
For that, I apologize. Because I know I should let those things go.
I will try harder from now on.
Of course, sometimes, it can be a lot harder than you think.
Like, for instance, when the person in front of you doesn't hold the door open for you.
Even if it is just so you can get hold of handle.
I mean, he (or she) is literally right there and without even hesitating, lets it slam right in your face. This seems to happen especially when you are holding an armful of groceries or bags. Even more importantly, a baby.
Now, if this person happens to be you, and you are a non-door holder, I'm here to tell you that we notice.
And we call you inappropriate things under our breath.
There are some things which do not require etiquette lessons. Some things which should not have to be taught.
Kindess and having compassion for one another are a couple examples.
It really isn't that hard of a thing to do.
An extra three seconds of your time is all it takes.
I taught my children to hold the door open for people when they were very little. To this day, they still do.
They better.
Because to this day, I may not remember the faces of those who didn't hold the door for me. But I certainly remember the ones who do.
One example of this would be when I stopped at Coen in Toronto last week.
While walking through the parking lot, I noticed this guy going inside.
All of a sudden he stopped when he took notice of me coming and instead of making his way into the store, he waited and held the door open until I got there, allowing me to enter first.
Now, that's class.
And he is someone I will remember.
I suppose there is also a third way you can look upon this "national day."
Perhaps we are supposed to "let go" of things from our past that we carry inside of our hearts and our head.
Moments that cause us pain and make us incapable of becoming the person we were truly meant to be.
Grudges or hatreds toward someone who broke your heart or broke your trust.
Maybe we are supposed to let go of that bitterness we try so hard to hide.
But it still always there.
I am not really sure what the meaning of "Let it Go Day," is supposed to actually mean. But no matter, however you decide to take the meaning of this Sunday, I truly hope it brings you what you want it to.
Because once in a great while, you have to make the focus about you.
And if I find out the meaning of this day is about that obnoxious song from that cartoon movie which you can't get out of your head once you hear it, I am going to be highly upset.
I prefer to like my explanations much better. And I hope you will too.
Enjoy your "Let it Go Day."
(Stenger is the community editor for the Herald-Star and the Weirton Daily Times.)