What’s the Big Deal about Surrender?
The idea of surrender can at times rub us the wrong way, but consider the word in terms
of acceptance and its power to help us heal after a loss. Loss can show up in many
forms. We can lose a loved one by death, or divorce. We experience loss when children
leave home, or when we change or lose a job, or when we move and leave a home and
community behind. The pain of loss is also experienced when we lose a faithful pet. As
we move through life we experience many losses.
When you surrender to or accept the loss you have experienced your body is put
into a clearer healing state. You are no longer fighting back and using your energy
to resist; in acceptance your energies are directed to the process of grieving.
Grief is one of the most complicated emotions for us to confront and can be one of the
most difficult periods of our life. The miracle is that our emotions of grief are the body’s
way of healing.
Grieving is nature’s healing remedy. It is a miraculous healing potion. Grieving can take
some people longer than others. This is not a time to compare, or think your grieving
process needs to look like someone else’s. Your grieving will take the time and form
necessary for you. But also know that to a large degree, grieving will take the time you
let it.
By receiving support and allowing the body to do its healing work, we can shorten our
grieving time considerably.
Acknowledging your loss is the most important step you can take to move into
surrender, into acceptance and into your new life. And as a bonus, when you
surrender and accept your loss you are much more likely to arrive in better health!
Surrendering to the loss goes like this: tell yourself, "It has happened. It is real. It did
happen to me." Say it until you believe it in the very cells of your body because our
minds can be tricky. We need to remind ourselves that it is true—we have really lost
that loved one, in whatever form it happened. If you wonder if you are strong enough,
know that you are. You are alive. You will survive.
This period of pain and grieving is difficult but it is the first step we must take to get our life back.
Your life that at this point may not yet have a clear future. The important thing to know is that
you will survive. You can make it. You will feel better, no doubt about it.
Most important, is to know that you do not have to do it alone. Find a supportive group,
counselor or coach to support you on this challenging journey. Your new life awaits you. May
you move forward with courage and strength.
"When an emotional injury takes place, the body begins a process as natural as the
healing of a physical wound. Let the process happen. Trust the process. Surrender to
it." – Colgrove, Bloomfield and McWilliams. |