The Beauty of Surrender: Letting Go of Control And Embracing The Unknown
Have you ever felt out of control? Have you ever felt as if you don’t know where to go? Lost?
Unsure on how to move forward with your life? I have too. Haven’t we all? Life is unpredictable
in so many ways and sometimes that can overwhelm us and make us feel stuck in how to move
forward because with today’s society, all of us are so pressured to create, succeed, build, and
constantly be on the move. What if, during these periods of the unknown, we just sat in stillness?
I’ve recently gone through one of these periods of stillness myself. For the past three years (for
my Saturn Return specifically), I have been at a complete loss on how I want to move my life
forward. I went through a breakup with someone I had been involved with for almost five years,
lost my friends due to this breakup, and almost blew up my business due to having no motivation
towards my career. I kept thinking to myself, do I need a career change? Do I need to move out
of Denver? Why did I lose all those friends? What did I do wrong? I was constantly questioning
what should be my next move, rather than sitting in the silence of what happened. These past
three years taught me that stillness, letting go of control, and embracing the universe’s plan for
me was enough.
This period of stillness was very difficult for me. I have always been a go go go kind of person
and I enjoyed the hustle. Creating my own business without any experience and being successful
wasn’t because I sat around. It was because I kept pushing myself and pushing to succeed;
however, the caveat of that was that I got burnt out. I no longer enjoyed massaging. I became
resentful. I canceled appointment after appointment because I didn’t want to interact with others
because I felt as if there was no point. I lost a lot of clients due to this, and it is something I
regret because I bonded so deeply with those people when I was enjoying my work. So instead of
forcing myself to move forward, instead of forcing myself to grow, I sat and listened to my heart
and what I truly wanted to do. During this time, I got really invested in Human Design and
discovered that I was an Ego Manifestor, meaning my authority is my heart. What my heart
wants to do I should do. During this time period, deep down, my heart wanted to rest and so I
did.
Now, what does this have to do with surrendering and embracing the unknown. A LOT actually.
Even now, as I come back to this blog (I left it alone for half of a year because life kept throwing
me more unknowns), learning how to accept what comes has been the best thing for my mental
health. Now, let me clarify, that isn’t to say don’t take action towards your life. I personally fell
in the loop of trusting the universe a bit too much and thinking I didn’t have to do anything other
than hope my manifestations would come true. This is a trap. Action is VERY necessary when it
comes to creating your desires and for creating the life you want; however, surrendering to what
is to come and not getting disappointed is the key to getting in alignment with your soul’s
purpose.
One thing about humanity is that we love to fight. We love to fight for what we think is right. We
love to fight for what we think we deserve. We love to fight for anything that we believe belongs
in our life. And yes, fight! Fight for the life you want, but sometimes we also have to
acknowledge that if something falls away from us or separates from us then it was never meant
for us. We as humans need to learn that sometimes letting go is exactly what the universe wants
us to do. Surrendering to every moment, whether they be good or bad, is a lesson or experience
that our soul came here to learn from. Now, this isn’t to say the horrible things that happen to
people are because their soul wished for it! That isn’t my intention with this at all. I’m also not
discussing the more horrible things that happen to people. I’m not talking about major trauma;
I’m talking about minor setbacks, such as losing friends, business is struggling, etc. Sometimes
these specific moments in our lives require us to take a step back and let things unfold as they
may.
In the hustle and bustle of our modern lives, the idea of surrendering control might sound
daunting, even counterproductive. We’re often taught that success comes to those who seize the
reins, set clear objectives, and meticulously plan every step of their journey. But there’s
something truly beautiful in surrendering, in releasing our grip on life’s steering wheel and
embracing the unknown.
The Mirage of Control
Like many of us, I’ve spent a considerable portion of my life chasing after control because it
seemed to offer security, stability, and a sense of purpose. I carefully mapped out my career,
relationships, and daily routines, believing that this level of control would guarantee my desired
outcomes. Yet, life has a way of throwing unexpected curveballs our way, reminding us of its
unpredictability and the limits of our control.
The illusion of control can be incredibly draining. The constant struggle to manipulate every
facet of our lives can lead to stress, anxiety, and eventually, burnout. It’s an uphill battle because,
no matter how hard we try, we can’t foresee or control every twist and turn. Recognizing this
truth is the first step toward experiencing the beauty of surrender.
The Power of Letting Go
Surrendering control doesn’t equate to surrendering oneself or being passive. It’s about
acknowledging that there are circumstances we can’t control and being open to the myriad of
possibilities life offers. Here are some ways in which letting go has had a profound impact on my
life:
- 1. Reduced Stress: Letting go has drastically lowered my stress levels. By accepting that I
can’t control everything, I’ve unburdened myself from the weight of constant worry and
fear.
- 2. Embracing Change: Life is a constantly changing journey. Surrendering control has made
me more adaptable and open to change, leading to personal growth and new
opportunities.
- 3. Improved Relationships: In my personal relationships, letting go has improved
communication and understanding. Trusting others to make their decisions and respecting
their autonomy has forged deeper connections.
- 4. Enhanced Creativity: By relinquishing rigid plans and expectations, I’ve discovered the
beauty of creativity and spontaneity. Some of my most cherished and memorable
moments have unfolded when I least expected them.
Surrender as a Spiritual Practice
For me, surrender is deeply entwined with my spiritual journey. Various religious and
philosophical traditions emphasize the significance of surrendering to a higher power or the
universe. It’s an acknowledgment that there are forces beyond our comprehension, and we must
have faith in a grander plan. This surrender has led me to inner peace and a profound sense of
purpose in my life.
Meditation and mindfulness practices have also played a crucial role in my journey of surrender.
By grounding myself in the present moment and letting go of the constant chatter in my mind,
I’ve experienced a deep sense of peace and connection with the world around me.
Embracing the Unknown
The true beauty of surrender is found in embracing the unknown. When we relinquish control,
we open ourselves to the boundless possibilities that life has to offer. We come to realize that
uncertainty isn’t something to fear but an exciting adventure waiting to be explored.
Remember, surrender doesn’t mean giving up on your dreams or aspirations. It means trusting the
process and being open to different paths that might lead to the same destination or perhaps an
even more extraordinary one.
My journey of surrender has unveiled the freedom it offers, the peace it brings, and the profound
connection it fosters with the world and the people around me. By letting go of control, I’ve
found a more fulfilling and joyful life. Embrace the unknown, and you’ll discover that it’s where
life’s most beautiful moments unfold. So, join me in surrendering and let life’s beauty take you
by surprise.
