Surrender

I used to think that surrender meant failure. That it was to be avoided at all costs because it was a sign of weakness and inability. Surrender felt like something that was an absolute last resort because the result of surrender would be pain or death.

Well, as it turns out that was one of my mind’s overly dramatic dramatizations of what surrender can offer. A very warlike – us versus them – kind of mentality. The truth, at least for me, is that surrender is essential to growth and happiness. 

This does not suggest that surrender means giving up hopes, dreams, or goals and blindly accepting whatever comes along. It does suggest that one consider that the expectations they created are not in alignment with their highest good. In other words, to step back and be curious about why things are not happening as expected instead of fighting for what is not in your best interest.

I recently had a major shift in my expectations. A few months ago, I had started a new job that sounded like everything I was looking for in a career. I was in the process of buying a house that was perfect for hosting events, it was near a lake, and all the things I thought I wanted. The home I am living in went up for sale and sold for over asking in three days. Everything seemed to be flowing easily and effortlessly. I was thrilled that everything really seemed to be coming together.

And then, in one morning, it all fell apart. At least, that’s what it felt like initially. By afternoon, I had spent some time outside and reconsidered the situation. I was surprised to discover that I felt relieved. The work environment was toxic, the new house was probably more than I could take care of, and there was now an opportunity for a much-needed rest and reset. In other words, surrender was the tool needed to shift my perspective.

I could have fought harder. Pushed forward with the buying and selling of houses. Instead, I surrendered. Surrendered to the possibility that the Universe knew better than I about what was aligned with my highest good. Stepped back and asked myself why I was pursuing these goals. Stepped into the safe space that was created to allow the grief and sadness that accumulated through the pandemic to surface and release. Surrendered to what supported my mental and physical wellbeing, including a lot of much-needed rest, self-care, and time with family and friends. And, oh my, has surrender been sweet. So much so that I made a commitment to surrender to a great deal of things. Hoping this list inspires you to choose to surrender as well.

Commitment to Surrender to:

• The possibility that your current hopes, dreams, and goals are not in alignment with your highest good.
• The possibility that you are a divine creation and are an amazing, magical human with extraordinary gifts.
• The possibility that options are available to you that far exceed your current expectations and that they will easily come to fruition.
• The possibility that you can successfully pursue what brings you true happiness.
• The possibility you can manifest abundance of love, peace, joy, prosperity, and whatever else is aligned with your highest good.
• The possibility that you are worthy, lovable, and enough.
• The possibility that you are here to experience joy.