I had a friend recently ask me, “How do you know when to let go and stop struggling?” That is a very interesting question. Have you ever felt that you are trying so hard and nothing seems to be moving forward? Do you feel like your feet are stuck in mud? Maybe then, it is time to release and surrender.
To release and surrender does not mean giving up. It means releasing your problems or struggles to a much higher power than yourself. When we get caught up in our everyday lives we may lose the connection to our Higher Self. The ego may get involved and all those thoughts are going on and on in your head. Instead of listening to your heart you may be listening to the well-meaning but, possibly misdirected advice from those around you.
This is what I do to release and surrender:
1. I take the necessary action steps to fix the situation. In other words, I do not just sit on my couch and hope. If there are people to call, information to gather, or research to perform; I accomplish that.
2. After I have exhausted all that I know to do and still feel challenged, then, I take a step back to meditate and pray. Prayer and meditation allows me to emotionally let go and open myself to have faith that a power much greater than myself is at work. God in his Infinite power can do a better job.
3. By opening up my heart, I am also getting in touch with my Higher Self and usually receive insights about the next steps I could take.
Releasing and surrendering reminds me of a favorite prayer of my Mothers.
The Serenity Prayer
God grant me the SERENITY to accept the things I cannot change,
COURAGE to change the things I can,
And the WISDOM to know the difference.