Let it Be

For as long back as I can remember, The Beatles were a fixture on the radio in my childhood home. The melodies, instrumentals, and unique lyrics fondly hold permanence in my heart. 

From time to time, I find myself called back to the captivating lyrics. I listen with intention and often contemplate the deeper meaning behind the words. 

One song that stands out most to me because of the work I do as a therapist is the song, Let it Be. 

Paul McCartney and John Lennon cowrote the song, and the chorus is outlined below:

Let it be, let it be, let it be, let it be
There will be an answer, let it be

You might be wondering why this resonates with me. I find it incredibly poignant when I think about how anxiety works when we move into a state of overthinking. We worry and consider the worst-case scenarios that might play out. It often evolves much like a domino effect with one thought spilling into the next until we have catastrophized ourselves into a tizzy. 

The beauty of these simple words, "let it be," offer such insight and wisdom that often we never allow ourselves to consider when we're in a state of amplified anxiety. What is we could slow down our thoughts and the physical aspects of our anxiety so that we could quiet our mind and accept the things we truly cannot control. Because as McCartney and Lennon write, "there will be an answer. Let it be."

I realize in the work I do that this is easier said than done when we are deep in negative thinking and overwhelm. But at the heart of our anxiety, is the need to come back to the breath and slow the gravy train of thoughts that feel all consuming. 

Perhaps adopting this chorus as a mantra could be just the grounding technique we could lean into when we feel so in our heads. I strongly encourage you to give it a try the next time you find yourself moving into a heightened state of anxiety. Take out your journal and begin to write the lyrics, "there will be an answer. Let it be." Write slowly and carefully, letting the words serve as a guide to coming back to the here and now. 

If writing doesn't resonate with you as a calming technique, consider sitting in a quiet comfortable position and slowly and gently repeating the chorus to yourself instead. "There will be answer. Let it be." 

Another alternative is to cue the song and listen with intention allowing the words to wash over you and bring you a sense of peace. 

Even as I sit here writing this blog post, I can't help but gently hum the chorus as I type. The song makes me think of my mom and her wisdom and guidance. The lyrics take me back to sitting in our living room with the album playing softly through the speakers. I feel loved, supported, and happy. 

May you find power in contemplation as you consider the lyrics of this song and the opportunity they offer you to simply let things be. Don't feel any sense of obligation to fix or worry about the things you cannot control. "There will be an answer. Let it be!"