Thee Art of Surrender

This week I want to welcome a concept that is embedded into almost everything we do whether it’s spiritual or not. Being that it is officially autumn as well this just feels like perfect timing.

I’d like to build on the conversation of fate and free will for a second. There are a lot of things in life we assume we have control over as if the success or failure of something solely relies on us, like education for example, yes you have to do what you can to learn but having proximity and access to resources/people/safe environments/health are factors that are typically never solely within our control. All we can really do is try to make something happen and take advantage of the opportunities in front of us. Life is filled with moments that are outside of our control and though it may feel disheartening to be at the mercy of life, it is equally as exhausting to pretend you have more power over any/all things when we don’t.

Surrender according to Merriam-Webster is defined as “to stop fighting or give up control of something to someone else”. There is a strong connotation around surrendering that can equate to “allow yourself to be bested/taken advantage of”, which is the furtherest from the truth. What I want to emphasize here is ‘give up control’.

This is where the concept of Surrender comes in, when we are aware of how far our power and autonomy actually stretches we can give up control to the outcomes (being that we can not solely ensure them 9/10 times) and the process in which things will come about. There are a multitude of things we cannot say we know to be our truth for sure, we can only make assumptions. Those are the moments when surrender is calling to you.

When we feel like we’ve tried everything we can do, that is not a sign to give up, it is a sign to surrender. To let the current carry you so you can focus on breathing and conserving what is left of your strength just until your next window of opportunity opens up again. The practice of surrender is laced into everything we do whether we are aware of it or not. When you get that “order has been placed/ready to ship” notification and you are waiting for your tracking number — you are being invited to surrender. When you have taken a test and are waiting to get back your final grade — you are being invited to surrender. When you are at a red light, you are practicing surrender. Even when you confess to a crush or finish an interview and are awaiting a response — your part is done, surrender now begins.

Surrender is an art that finds us during the liminal moments in life, big or small, monumental or mundane. First we have to notice when we have done our part and exhausted our options. Then we can heed the its’ call. We don’t have to be beaten down by what we cannot control instead we can welcome the liberation that comes with the fact that things are no longer our responsibility then find restoration in those brief moments. Surrender like most things is not forever, despite the fact that we are interacting with it constantly. Do your best to notice when you are pushing too hard. Sometimes the invitation may come in the form of irritation, anxiety, restlessness, impatience, or discontentment.

Thank you to everyone who takes a moment to themselves in order to read what I share and even more, to apply and ponder my words. Have a good week everyone, feel lighter!