Surrendering is not a weakness. On the contrary, giving control may be one of the most powerful acts you can choose to take.
Have you ever felt like life's just throwing too much your way? Like you're trying to paddle upstream in a river that's determined to sweep you away? It's easy to think that surrendering means giving up, admitting defeat. But what if I told you that surrendering isn't a sign of weakness at all? In fact, it might just be the bravest thing you can do.
Picture this: You're out on the ocean, sailing in a small boat. Suddenly, a storm rolls in, fierce winds whipping up massive waves. You could stubbornly cling to the tiller, trying to force your way through the storm. But what if, instead, you let go? What if you surrendered to the power of the storm, allowing it to carry you where it will? It might seem counterintuitive, but by relinquishing control, you open yourself up to the possibility of finding a safe harbor, of weathering the storm intact.
Life often throws us storms of its own – unexpected challenges, setbacks, heartaches. And in those moments, it's tempting to dig in our heels, to try to control every aspect of the situation. But what if, instead, we chose to surrender? What if we accepted that some things are beyond our control, and allowed ourselves to be carried by the current of life?
Take the story of Sara, a young woman who dreamed of becoming a doctor. She studied tirelessly, sacrificing countless hours of sleep and socializing to achieve her goal. But when she applied to medical school, she was rejected – not once, but twice. Crushed and disillusioned, Sara felt like she'd hit a dead end. But instead of giving up entirely, she chose to surrender to the uncertainty of her future. She explored other interests, traveled, and volunteered in underserved communities. And in doing so, she discovered a passion for public health – a path she never would have considered if she'd stubbornly clung to her original plan.
So, my friend, I ask you this: What storms are you facing in your life right now? And what would happen if you chose to surrender to them, to let go of the need to control every outcome?
* If you're looking for more inspiration to help you on your personal development journey, you may want to check out my extensive list of SMART goals. This page is packed with thousands of different goal ideas that can help you set new aspirations and reach higher heights in your life. Personally, this page helped me to create my own 100 life goals list, which I pursued for over a decade.
Chief Editor
Tal Gur is an author, founder, and impact-driven entrepreneur at heart. After trading his daily grind for a life of his own daring design, he spent a decade pursuing 100 major life goals around the globe. His journey and most recent book, The Art of Fully Living, has led him to found Elevate Society.
