If you live in a cold area, like the East Coast, the fall season is truly beautiful. Trees and the ground are adorned with vibrant colors as leaves turn red, orange, and yellow before falling back to Mother Earth, nourishing the soil. This changing scenery reminds me of the profound meaning of the letting-go process.

We often resist the idea of “letting go.” This phrase can evoke discomfort or feelings of loss. However, letting go is an essential part of our ongoing evolution. Letting go can serve a greater purpose and hold deeper meaning as we let the process inspire and shape us.

This act of letting go offers us the opportunity to engage more fully in our personal growth and find fulfillment. For example, letting go of a hectic work schedule to pray or attend a retreat for spiritual development is a meaningful way to embrace the concept of letting go.

Reflecting on my significant past experiences of letting go during this fall season, I feel immense gratitude for the following three opportunities that allowed me to grow and create something new.

My first experience with letting go was leaving Vietnam. My desire for a better future and the hope of reuniting with my family motivated us to overcome many challenges. We moved forward in faith, stepping into an uncertain future filled with hope, dreams, and determination.

My second experience of letting go came a few years later, shortly after completing my undergraduate studies in the U.S. when I put my dream of pursuing graduate studies on hold.
I left friends and family behind in Oklahoma and moved to Boston, eager to seek a more authentic understanding of God’s call through real living experiences with sisters. My previous experience of letting go when I left Vietnam reassured me that, with God’s grace, I could trust in that grace once again. So, I moved across the states, letting go of my surroundings, to discern God’s call.  Grounded in faith and a desire to authentically discern my calling, I was motivated to move forward.  But I had  to let go of my hesitations and fears about the culture of religious life, which I ultimately embraced and now cherish.

My third significant experience of letting go occurred when I accepted an invitation from my congregational leaders to serve as a vocation minister, which was so different from my role at the time as a research scientist. To gain clarity and peace of mind, I spent a week on a retreat, reflecting on how God had guided me through previous experiences of letting go. While meditating at the Labyrinth at Shepherd’s Corner Ecology Center in Blacklick, Ohio, I stumbled upon a beautiful spot filled with yellow leaves. This vibrant scene reaffirmed for me that letting go to respond to needs with love, faith, and trust—even in the face of challenges—can be truly uplifting. By embracing this new path in ministry, I have gained a deeper appreciation for life and a better understanding of myself than I ever thought possible.

Letting go can initially feel overwhelming, and we may have so many unanswered questions and fears. However, when we allow ourselves and others—especially God—to guide us in this process of letting go, we can open doors to a deeper faith and richer life experiences. If we approach letting go by embracing a spirit of faith, love, hope, and determination, the process can become a transformative journey.

As I conclude my reflections, I invite you to notice the vibrant colors of this season and to reflect on how you respond to change. Are you able to let go of the familiar to embrace and discover new seasons in your life? Are you open to finding a greater purpose or calling that God has placed within you?

We invite those seeking guidance in vocational discernment to join us for our Virtual Mini-Retreat on November 9 to gain insight, cultivate gratitude, and build trust through your faith journey with the communion of saints. Contact our vocation team for more information and further assistance with your discernment.