Shikata Ga Nai which translates to “it cannot be helped” and represents the concept of accepting situations beyond your control and letting go of the need to change them; essentially, embracing the idea of “letting go.”

As you can see, I have a very strong fascination with Japanese words and how it provides deeper meaning into our everyday living and decisions.

Shikata Ga Nai signifies accepting what we cannot change and moving on.

But how easy is it to let go?

Not as easy as telling someone to let it go, whatever the case maybe…right?

We are all put in situations where our feelings are hurt, our patience tested, our worth questioned and our integrity put on the line. These are all situations that are just not that “easy to let go.”

But I believe, shikata ga nai are referring to situations that are totally beyond our control. Situations that perhaps involve other people? We cannot make people change, for example.

I cannot make you read every post that I write is another example. 

I cannot make you feel the hurt I’m feeling, just because I told you. 

I cannot make someone understand,  just because I explained myself the best I know how. 

There are a lot, a whole lot of situations and happenstance that involve others that despite our good intentions can’t be helped. 

It is out of the good intentions and desires to make ourselves heard or seen that we see the realization that not all things, situations and people can be helped. You just have to let it go. 

It’s a good and honorable thing to accept that when we learn to “let go” and realize that “it cannot be helped,” we are actually helping ourselves. 

Shikata Ga Nai…

Until next time,