The Surrendered Path

Life gives us what we need. Peace and spiritual happiness is available to us at all times. We just have to minimize distractions, minimize auto-pilot thoughts and habits, and sit down and access it. Then practice accessing it more and more by surrendering to what is, and being present in the present moment. Living in the past, or in the future will never bring the peace we all crave.

Even though peace and spiritual happiness is available to us all, at all times, most of us blow past it without tapping into the energy. Sadly it’s not even a thought or priority and it’s the single greatest thing you can do for yourself. It puts all else into beautiful perspective. It makes you better equipped to handle every aspect of life.

Modern distractions keep us “busy”, overwhelmed and consuming. What removes us even more from a peaceful existence, is resistance. Resistance to what is. Resistance to what is not. Resistance to what we want life to look like versus the messiness that appears.

Resistance. Resistance to life is the opposite of surrendering to life. Each situation is neutral until you add judgment. Think about that. Each situation is inherently neutral until you decide otherwise.

What makes you decide? Was it truly negative? Maybe. Are you seeing things through a lens of judgment or expectation? Maybe. Sometimes things we resist most happen to lead the way for the next big exciting chapter. Sit with things. Let them be. Let yourself just be, present.

Yes there are things all moral humans would collectively decide are negative, possibly even atrocities. But here, that’s not what we are talking about in this moment. We are taking about daily life, modern life convenience problems, first world problems. The daily drama.

What if you didn’t feel the need to label things good or bad. Someone took your parking spot. What if you didn’t mentally explode thinking about the reasons this is ruining your day. What if, instead, you thought, okay, I’ll find another, a better one perhaps. What if that extra 5 minutes in the car lead to you bumping into an old friend and enhancing your whole day? Because the universe works like that. There are endless God moments (God Winks) when you open yourself up to them.

When you close down, huffing and puffing through the store, reliving the trauma of your stolen parking spot, addicted to that feeling of why everything bad happens to you, you miss out. Resistance is a habit, a bad habit, and it will strip you of life and peace.

Life is beautiful, why resist and judge life’s moments? Who decides a weed isn’t beautiful and is just a weed? (Yes mom, a weed.) What would happen if you enjoyed the NOW? This moment right now? Stop and take a deep belly breath, slowly feel the exhale, look out your closest window. Enjoy life’s beauty, think of something you are grateful for.

Where could it take you? I’m inclined to agree with those who say maybe that’s the point of life, to be in the here and now. When you come to the present, you see how hard it is to stay here. The past and future, are false senses of security clamoring for your attention. But there is only life in this present moment.

Sit in the present moment. Embrace the uncomfortable. To be in the moment, and open to life’s coincidences and moments, leads you on a journey.

Don’t be closed off or in your head, replaying your grievances. Who does that support? Not you. Instead, relax, come to the present, just be. Enjoy this moment. Enjoy your spouse. Enjoy your kids if you have them. Enjoy your meal, enjoy your walk and the beautiful tree you never noticed that’s been there, present, for decades. Enjoy the different touches each neighbor personalized their yard and house with. See someone and walk towards them, say hello.

Forget your to do list. Choose three things to prioritize each day and THAT’S IT, that’s plenty for a productive day. Leave time for yourself to create moments in curating your life. Don’t forget to LIVE your life. Fill your life with love. Start today.

Start now. Go out into nature. Maybe it’s just outside work for a quick walk, maybe it’s at school between classes, or at home in your garden or grass, maybe you have time to garden. We are wild beings at heart. Maximize your time, slip off your shoes feel the benefits of earth’s negative ions under your feet. The grass between your toes is a peaceful present reminder that’s easy to prioritize daily.

Spend any time in nature and you will feel alive. Our hearts often reset and become more free in nature. Close your eyes. Feel your breath. Let the warm sun touch your skin. Let the cool breeze pass your face. Enjoy the cool shade that cloud cover provides.

Listen to the sounds around you. They are beautiful simple fulfilling moments. Live your one unique life full of your own ideas. Be in the now.

One day this all ends. How will you wish you spent today? Go. Do it to the fullest. Laugh, live in the moment, love your people, adore things, hug your favorite people, consciously write what you are grateful for (you have heard this before but haven’t done it maybe, start now, then look at that list. How lucky you are.) Call that person that keeps popping into your mind as you read this and enjoy the art of conversation catching up, savor a meal, create the memories that will fill your heart.

Remember today. Start now. You deserve to feel alive.

Xo, Katie