The art and joy of surrendering

In a previous post (see post here), I mentioned the incredible effect letting go or surrendering has had in my life (it is one of my life's themes!).

Today, I want to delve a little bit more into what exactly surrendering means to me, how to achieve it, and the joys we can find when we are able to trust the process of this beautiful thing we call life.

Surrendering is an act of bravery and acceptance

When most people think of surrender, they think about giving up, failing, or giving in to someone or something.

Surrendering to me is knowing when to trust the flow of energy - God's will - and to give in to that flow so that we can be moved towards something greater than ourselves.

An example of this idea is the martial arts Jujutsu. The main point of Jujutsu is using the opponents' motions against himself instead of trying to force your own.

Broken down, "Ju" is a concept meaning "to be gentle", "to give way", "to yield", "to blend", or "to move out of harm's way".

"Jutsu" is the principle of "action".

Surrendering means moving out of harm's way - from a person, a situation, a relationship, a goal, YOUR thoughts! - so that you can take action towards creating something different. This is not a weakness! It is a brave thing to do!

Acknowledging and accepting where you are, who you are with, and who you have become at any moment in time is an act of vulnerability.

Surrender to it. Accept it. Then let your mindset expand.

At that moment, be ready to take action - like the martial artist who is ready to move after he has connected with his opponent's strike.

Be ready to give in so that you can move out.

Surrender your perceptions. Act upon your new findings. Create a better version of yourself.

"Choosing joy involves spiritual surrender, and sometimes we would rather hold on to the pain than surrender our egos"

Surrendering is achieved when your outer behavior matches your inner energy

Stress, anxiety, and depression can happen when your thoughts and actions are in a tug-of-war.

When your thoughts and actions don't match, you create tension.

When these opposites clash, you have to decide whether to change your thoughts or to stop your behavior. You can't choose both of these paths.

You have to pick one.

The question is, which one do you pick?

The answer is, of course, by learning how to listen.

We have many voices in our head. We have many voices in the exterior world.

Learn to listen to the voice that comes from a place of love. It won't lead you astray.

"The harder you work, the harder it is to surrender"

Surrendering gives you the opportunity to innovate

There will come a time when the best solution, the most marvelous invention, solution or idea, is staring you right in the face and you won't even see it.

You won't see it because you are fixated on your way of thinking.

You miss out on the opportunity to see because you think your way of doing is THE only way.

Surrendering can allow you to take that step back, to get out of YOUR head, and see other opportunities that you are missing.

How?

By knowing how to "give way" or "yielding" to that voice that always has your best interest in mind.

If you want to create something new - a new habit, a new lifestyle, a new you - you must be ready to let go of the old and surrender to the new.

Are you ready to listen and surrender?

"Life is a balance between what we can control and what we cannot. I am learning to live between effort and surrender"

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Trust the process. Live the commitment