Surrender to the Moment: 5 Little Things to Give Up

Are You Ready to Surrender?

We imagine that in a moment of dramatic testing, we’d be the one to take the bullet. To make the sacrifice. To surrender ourselves to save a loved one.

Yet we get angry if someone squeezes in front of us in traffic?

Sometimes the small tugs of war are the important ones. It’s the little things that more often test our resolve to go higher.

So how can we be more loving in our ordinary, daily moments of life? One way is to surrender to the moment.

By taking one moment at a time, we can learn the art of surrender.

Our grand moment of surrender is always this one.

5 Little Things to Give Up in the Moment

Here are 5 little things we can practice giving up, anytime, anywhere, to gain the gifts of surrendering to the moment.

1. GIVE UP THE LAST WORD

In that discussion with your partner, eliminate a few of your own words and listen to more of theirs. Surrendering the desire to be understood and to get in the last word can make a joyful difference in the climate of your home. Marvel at the self-control you can exercise when you know it’s best to keep quiet.

2. GIVE UP YOUR PLACE IN LINE

That harried mom with the whiny toddler? Let her cut in line at the grocery store. Or make room for that speeding maniac to merge in front of you in traffic. By surrendering your place in line—literally and figuratively—you practice showing kindness to others. Releasing the need to be first is an act of freedom.

3. GIVE UP THE CLEAR ANSWER

Sometimes we hesitate and wait for overwhelming confirmation before we’ll take a risk. But rarely will we have total clarity in the moment. Surrender your desire for perfect vision and look instead for beauty in the uncertainty.

4. GIVE UP DOING IT ALONE

Winning the prize for “Most Independent” isn’t necessarily a trophy you want. Being a loner isn’t the happiest way to live. Practice humility by accepting help from others, and exercise empathy by giving help to others. Moments with others are a valuable source of joy.

5. GIVE UP A SPECIFIC OUTCOME

It’s easier to surrender to the moment if you can let go of the future. Instead of insisting on a specific result, be open to a variety of outcomes. You can’t control the future anyway. This moment is the only time we ever have.

Little Moments Are Big Moments

Surrendering to the moment, even if it’s a moment of creating change for the future, is a pathway to gaining peace. That’s huge.

Maybe these little moments, even this very moment, really are the biggest moments of all.

What little things are hard for you to surrender on a daily basis? What helps you give them up?

Share in the comments.

Read more:

• What Are Middles For?
  This moment is never a throw-away. Middles aren’t meant to be wasted. Middles are meant to be lived.
• Be Today Who You Want to Be Later
  We have a long time ahead to live with ourselves. Start getting it together now. 
• Frame the Moment to Last
  These teen girls had marked time with impermanence and uncertainty. But framed properly, a single day can last a long time.

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