Surrender Begins Where Effort Ends

We face battles all of our lives, and our minds do everything in its power to avoid them. We ignore, fight, numb, and reject the things we don't want in our lives; the uncomfortable situations. At some point, in the middle of our struggles, there comes a moment when we just can't keep fighting. It could be something we've fought our entire lives or a recent event that shakes the very foundation we stand on. At that moment the effort ends and the surrender begins.

Life is a balancing act between effort and dedication. Effort requires work, it is part of our existence. We take it for granted as it is the area in our life where we can be in control.

Devotion, on the other hand, is something we all struggle with, although it is an integral part of any spiritual journey. Surrender is about being. It is the acceptance of ignorance and the realization that there is nothing left to do – we can no longer exercise control. The problem is that we spend our time indulging in much the same way we try everything else.

It is in our nature to control and control everything in our life. You can try to fight reality, but sooner or later you will lose. Surrender is what happens when we let go of the idea that we should be able to manage and control our situation. It happens when we let go of the belief that things should be different from what they are. We let go of our thoughts about the future and let ourselves be fully rooted in the present moment.

The path to surrender is not easy, but we can achieve it when we are ready. We fear giving up because we fear losing control when we face the unknown. It forces us to be attentive. It takes courage and vulnerability to show up even when we have no control over the outcome. The aim is to learn to live between what we can control and what we cannot.

When we give up the result of our actions, we can be present in the moment in ways that we cannot be when trying to control. We can clearly see what is ahead of us in the present moment – the only moment that is guaranteed to us.

• Can you allow yourself not to know
• Can you face life as it is?
• Can you let go of the result and trust the universe to have your back?

Surrender does not mean to be passive, but to be open. Surrender to what is. Let go of what was. Have faith in what will be.

Sometimes it's the struggle that makes us drown. When we stop fighting, we float.

Half-English, half-Mexican (with an American accent), Mariel Witmond has been practicing Ashtanga and Vinyasa Flow Yoga worldwide for over a decade. After leaving her tough and stressful corporate job that left her unfulfilled and unhappy, she fulfilled her long-standing dream of becoming a yoga teacher, hoping to share with others the myriad of opportunities that have had a positive impact on their lives . Mariel shares a passion for life coaching and nutrition, which together with yoga have become the pillars of her company Mindful Sonder – a holistic approach to wellbeing. You can follow Mariel's journey further Instagram.