1. Surrender the fear of commitment.
If pressed for a commitment, I am far more likely to leave the relationship than to make the commitment. I may initially agree to the commitment, then back down days or weeks later, because of my overwhelming anxiety and fears – or the stories I’ve foretold myself about the experience and what it will “mean”. I fear allowing people too close because of past betrayals, especially with women.
So many of my female family, friends, co-workers, and associates I loved, respected, and esteemed betrayed my vulnerability and trust.
I let my Yes be Yes. I let my No be No. Either way I keep my promises.
2. Surrender the need to keep up appearances.
I am who I am.
Take me or leave me.
Think what you want, I can’t control that.
I like me.
I appreciate me.
I love and accept myself completely, even if someone else doesn’t.
3. Surrender the need to do things a certain way.
Keeping the house nice and tidy is very important to me. I get anxiety when things are out of place that are in my line of vision. It bothers me.
This is perfectionism.
I can let it go and not worry about everything being perfect all of the time. That’s not reality
4. Surrender the fear of being different.
I am unlike anyone else on this planet. My fingerprints and DNA speaks to that.
It is God’s intention that I be different.
5. Surrender the fear of expressing your deepest truths.
If I told someone my deepest truth, they’d run away and abandon me. However, if I keep my truths from them, I have already run away and abandoned them.
My words and truth are me. If someone doesn’t like my words or truth, they cannot truly want me.
6. Surrender the need to always be right.
I assume wrong sometimes. I perceive wrong sometimes. I misunderstand. I interpret incorrectly.
I get to be corrected, to learn, and to grow. I don’t need to know everything.
7. Surrender the need to punish or abuse.
When I experience an injustice or someone breaks a contract with me, whether written or perceived, my first instinct is to punish them with my silence or to cut them down with my words or thoughts.
I can release offenders with light and love and trust that God will always make me whole.
8. Surrender the need to be punished or abused.
I make mistakes. I am forgiven. I am wrought with mercy and grace.
I forgive myself for any and everything and I receive forgiveness from others as well.
9. Surrender your to-do list
As a mom, wife, entrepreneur, and Christian woman there are always lots of To-Dos. Sometimes I get so overwhelmed with everything on my plate that I forget to take care of me and to do the things that are most important. I find that when I am overwhelmed with so many things to do I find comfort in distractions and “lighter” tasks that don’t require me to sit in depth. My job is to sit in my depth. And sometimes the weight and tasks seem to heavy and chaotic to bear.
I use today to get 3 major things done and completed. Tomorrow can handle the rest.
10. Surrender the need to do it all.
I have been socially rewarded for doing a lot, proving myself, and performing with excellence. The “doing” part of me is default because I know that in my doing I am praised, admired, and celebrated. Yet, it wears on my body, mind, and soul. I get tired of always DOING.
I get to BE. I do what I can, and I just BE.
11. Surrender your seed.
I give, sow, and pour in hopes that my seed will fall on good soil and produce much fruit. However, I realize that it is not my job to watch over the seed. For that task belongs to God.
My job is to sow love, light, and truth. Only God brings about the increase.
12. Surrender to the present moment.
Yesterday is gone. Another second is not promised. All I have is now. This second.
I take this moment to hear, see, taste, feel, smell, and sense my surroundings and say, “Thank You!”