We hear a lot about how we must take actions in order to achieve our goals in any motivational books or personal growth seminars. On the other hand, we also know about the importance of surrender. Sometimes, the way how things turn out is not up to our desire or control. If we are fixated to a certain outcome, we may suffer for that reason.

So where do we need to draw the line?

When should we pull back and surrender to the universe?

I was listening to a podcast last week and the hosts mentioned about the book The Surrender Experiment, and that sparked my intense interest. 

There has been a theme emerging in my world since last week, the question of when do we say, it’s time to surrender versus we need to try harder?

I am very aware of the fact that surrender does not equal giving up, but it is about leaving to the universe, I have done my best, I let go. Then there is also the ideas of doing more or working smarter. 

I understand sometimes the truth of the matter is, we need to put more time and energy in a pursuit or master a skill. Often times it means self-directed effort, determination, will and perhaps, faith in yourself. These are the times we need to say we should never give up. Spiritual forces may also inspire or encourage us to push through or endure a lengthy pursue.

So taking actions is also highly important. Again, when do we know it is time to let go then? Or if we are letting go for the reasons? What if we want to quit because we are overly worried that we are investing more time and effort but only to find out we are going to fail anyway?

Where do we draw the line between Self-Acceptance and Complacency?

I was also watching an interview between Brene Brown and Tim Farris about a similar topic. And they discussed this very question.

Where is the line? How do we know we are practicing self-acceptance, which is an important part for our personal growth, and at the same time, we are not just “lazy” and stay at where we are instead of moving forward and upward? 

These questions have been lingering my mind for the entire week and I will try to answer it with what I know and understand, as well as from my personal experience. I’d love to hear what you may think about this as well. 

Reading The Surrender Experiment brought tears to my eyes while I was reading the book within a couple of days. The way how the universe unfold its miraculous power and how the author followed the flow of life, and stepped away from his personal preference were simply astounding.

It is very clear to me that if he have allowed his emotions or ego or impulsive reaction to run the course of his life, he wouldn’t have found the meditation temple, a building and construction company, a multi-billion dollar business and had so many life-changing experiences.

The fact that he let-go and surrendered to life brought him joy, peace, friendships, wealth and incredible experiences more than he could ever imaged.

What I found really clear to me is that the intention to surrender to life is a guiding principle for his actions, but he is a hard working and busy man from what I’ve read.

It doesn’t mean he was doing nothing all day long. Even in his early years of attempting to live like a helmet and in solitude, it didn’t quite happened that way.