My Monsters

My monsters.

Greed, hatred, envy, anger, agitation, egoistic pride, lust, etc.
They come in different forms, shapes, colors and sizes.

Over the years, I have learned to deal with them.
I do that by letting go.

First, I let go of my wish to control or suppress them.
When they arrive, I acknowledge them.
I let them be.

Next, I let go of my instinct to vilify them.
I seek to understand them.
I see them for who they are.
They are merely creations of my body and mind.
I humor them a little.
I joke with them.
I joke about them.
I let them play.

And then, I let go of my desire to feed them.
They may play here all they want.
But they get no food from me.
They are free to stay here hungry, if they want.

And I continue to let them be.
And then they get really hungry.
And sometimes they leave.

Finally, I let go of my desire to hold on to them.
They are free to leave as they wish.
I let them go.
I am free.
For now.

I do not overcome them.
They do not overcome me.
And we live together.
In harmony.