#221 – Can we really afford to surrender?

In the face of uncertainty, our Egos and Ghosts go full throttle.

GHOST OF EXERTION/EXHAUSTION

(Clapping, "chop, chop.")

Do, do something, do more.

GHOST OF NEED TO PROVE

(Reading the Encyclopedia Britannica, line by line, with a magnifying glass, hair disheveled, beige blouse untucked out of its tweed pencil skirt.)

You need to know what's going on and how you're gonna get to the other side – will you survive? Will you, will you, will you?

GHOST OF TIME INDIFFERENCE

(Tapping its wrist watch.)

If not now, then when? Eh, when? When???

# # #

The result is useless, unnecessary suffering, kindled by feelings of helplessness when we see how little influence we have.

So, today, while wrapping my wet hair in a thin Turkish towel, I set my intention on surrendering. I pondered what it'd look like, both in my personal processes and our collective one:

• My son's unjust incarceration (incomplete police investigation, prosecutorial inattention to the case, discovery evidence shared with huge delay and lame excuses...)
• My unsuccessful attempts to land a full-time job
• Our collective hurly-burly (federal agencies' dismantling, funding freezes, unelected citizens taking charge of government duties...)

Bringing back Michael Singer's words (paraphrasing), surrender doesn't mean to do nothing and play Kendrick Lamar's halftime show on repeat until something happens.

But it also doesn't mean to scramble for answers and immediate outcomes.

It means to serve the situation in front of us as best we can.

So, when the video evidence came in, I carefully watched it and pointed to a couple of spots the legal team had missed. I surrendered by staying calm and cultivating patience, knowing that whatever needs to happen will happen.

When a writing client called to discuss an idea, I didn't think I was "saved" and money would immediately start flowing. I surrendered by staying open and assessing with honesty whether or not I'm the best person for the job. And if I'm not, surrender will mean I'll decline the invitation.

Every morning when I read the news, I make a few calls on 5calls.org. I surrender by keeping in mind that it's one of the things I can do but I'm not in control of the situation.

I also keep in mind that my fear and anxiety won't serve the situation or me, so why have them?

How can surrender serve the circumstance in front of you?

Love,

Carolina