Surrender... my word for 2015

by Susan

photo courtesy of Dr. Holly Oxhandler

It's not 'surrender' in the 'defeat' sense of the definition... it's more of a... letting go. 

Life throws us challenges... some good... some great... and some... not-so-good.  Those challenges can be brought on by ourselves, family members, friends, co-workers... and people we don't even associate with. 

There are challenges that make us better people. 

There are challenges brought on by others... that test who we are. 

There are challenges we bring unto ourselves.

There are challenges to our well-being, our health and that of loved ones.

There are also those challenges that when we see people we love and care for, make poor choices. 

Now, back to my word for 2015.  Surrender.  It came about one day, last month or so ago, in a conversation with my daughter Holly.  She wanted to share her word for 2015, which was surrender and thought that maybe it would ring true with me too. She's got a lot on her plate... and she knows that I do, too... but the reality is, I think we both bring on a few more things than we can actually handle each day.  So she shared her word, surrender. And let me tell you the minute I heard it... it was like a weight had been lifted off of my shoulder.  Surrender became something I would repeat nightly, under my breath as I closed my eyes. I realized that there were some things in my life that I could control... and things that I could not. I realized that repeating this word... helped me sleep.  Repeating this word brought clarity and new found joy. 

To me, surrender isn't about giving up at all.  It's not about defeat.  It's a calming word during a challenging time. It helps make clear choices.

With that said, I'd like to thank all of my FOL sisters for the conversations, the joy, the time we had together in Galveston. You see, this is my last post here at FOL. So, thank you ladies... thank you so much for allowing me to be a part of this inspirational and creative group.  I've loved being a part of this group and wish I could stay, but due to an exhaustive growing work schedule and travel, and family members needing me more than ever at this time, I've had to let go of some things... and FOL contributing member is one of them.

Life brings challenges, the good... and the not-so-good.  When it gets overwhelming, maybe you too will find the clarity... the calm... the serenity of this one word, surrender... take a breath... and let... it... go...

*Special thank you to my daughter Holly for the image above. We both have this same mug that sits on our desks as a gentle reminder throughout the day.*

xo ~ susan