THE POWER OF SURRENDER
This is not what I imagined my life would be like.
Have you ever said this to yourself? I have. Several times.
10 years ago, if you would’ve asked me what I saw for my life I would’ve imagined that at 35 I would be a well established dentist, happily married with three kids. Well I’m not married and I don’t have kids, but I am a well established Navy dentist in a healthy relationship and also a yoga teacher and personal trainer. I am happy and blessed even though the path I took to get the things I wanted was not what I envisioned. While I may not have everything I thought I would have at this moment in time, whose to say I won’t receive it in the future?
There have been times where I’ve asked God to do something for me, but then I questioned the methods & time that he took to do it. My impatience with His process revealed my lack of faith and trust that He would get it done. I’ve done this often, and in reflection, I had to tell myself that what I was asking for couldn’t be achieved alone and as a result, I realized I needed to have several seats. I needed to buckle up and just enjoy the ride.
I think we fight the flow of our life because maybe it’s uncomfortable or maybe it doesn’t fit our expectations, or because we don’t like the feeling of not being in control, but maybe there’s a better way. Instead of working against what’s going on in our lives, maybe we work with it. Trying to walk in the same direction instead of the opposite direction so we don’t miss the opportunities that may be awaiting us.
Ishvara Pranidhana – “The jewel of surrender” is a Niyama that focuses on surrendering in certain aspects of your life acknowledging that there is a higher power in control.
Keep reading for some journal prompts to work through this Niyama.
THINK ABOUT A TIME YOU HAVE SURRENDERED IN THE PAST.
What was the outcome and how did you feel before , during and after letting go?
WHAT BATTLE ARE YOU FIGHTING NOW?
Why are you fighting this battle? Is it benefiting you? Is it adding or taking away from your wellness?
WRITE DOWN THE PROS AND CONS OF LETTING GO.
Compare your lists. Will it hurt you to surrender to a higher power?
HOW MUCH ENERGY IS IT TAKING YOU TO RESIST?
It takes a lot of energy and focus to try to gain control over a situation you aren’t meant to have control over. Imagine if you stopped resisting, what could you do with that energy? How could you redirect your focus.
I have an A type personality. Feeling in control gives me comfort, but I realize that there are things in life that I cannot control. I don’t have to be in the driver’s seat to get to my destination. It’s okay to be a passenger, let God drive and allow myself to be present on the journey. The process of surrendering is not inactive or weak. It’s a manuever, like playing chess. Learning to go with the flow of our lives, leaves us with more energy to understand and appreciate the path we are on.
How can you practice surrendering in your life?