Surrender (Burns Sisters)

DailyOm
January 14, 2010
The Wisdom of Surrender
Relying on Others

Most of us pride ourselves on our self-sufficiency. We like to be responsible for taking care of ourselves and pulling our own weight in the world. This is why it can be so challenging when we find ourselves in a situation in which we have to rely on someone else. This can happen as the result of an illness or an injury, or even in the case of a positive change, such as the arrival of a newborn. At times like these, it is essential that we let go of our feeling that we should be able to do it all by ourselves and accept the help of others.

The first step is accepting the situation fully as it is. Too often we make things worse either by trying to do more than we should or by lapsing into feelings of uselessness. In both cases we run the risk of actually prolonging our dependency. In addition, we miss a valuable opportunity to practice acceptance and humility. The ego resists what is, so when we move into acceptance we move into the deeper realm of the soul. In needing others and allowing them to help us, we experience the full realization that we are not on our own in the world. While this may bring up feelings of vulnerability, a deep feeling of gratitude may also emerge as we open to the experience of being helped. This realization can enable us to be wiser in our service of others when we are called upon to help.

It takes wisdom and strength to surrender to our own helplessness and to accept that we, just like every other human being, have limitations. The gifts of surrender are numerous. We discover humility, gratitude, and a deepening understanding of the human experience that enables us to be that much more compassionate and surrendered in the world.

A quick follow-up on my doctor visit of a month ago, to get the results of the blood and urine tests I took - suffice it to say I was more than a bit worried about the outcome... but everything actually turned out okay...

After being on the blood pressure medicine for four weeks, my blood pressure was perfect - yay! My blood sugar was great, which was a huge whew!... as diabetes runs in my family - my cholesterol was on target too (169... recommended is below 200), another relief. My calcium and Vitamin D were both a bit low, so she suggested supplements of both - also, I showed borderline-hypothyroidism (low), and she felt a thyroid medication to shift my metabolism back where it should be was indicated. Interestingly, I have felt much more energy since beginning the pills (lowest dosage, once a day), which is a nice change of pace - I think that's helped balance my emotional peace of mind as well...

I still need to schedule appointments for a mammogram, a bone density test, a colonoscopy and a chest x-ray (because of mom's pulmonary issues) - I've been involved in the planning stages of a busy music weekend here in South Florida... but I promise to... what, Susan?... follow through!... and will make those calls first thing next week... :-)

SONG: Surrender by Annie Burns

BOOK: Small Wonder: Essays by Barbara Kingsolver

POEM: Primary Wonder by Denise Levertov

Days pass when I forget the mystery.
Problems insoluble and problems offering
their own ignored solutions
jostle for my attention, they crowd its antechamber
along with a host of diversions, my courtiers, wearing
their colored clothes; cap and bells.
And then
once more the quiet mystery
is present to me, the throng's clamor
recedes: the mystery
that there is anything, anything at all,
let alone cosmos, joy, memory, everything,
rather than void: and that, O Lord,
Creator, Hallowed One, You still,
hour by hour sustain it.

QUOTE: "We live in a wonderful world that is full of beauty, charm and adventure. There is no end to the adventures that we can have if only we seek them with our eyes open." ~ Jawaharlal Nehru

Ah! Sweet Mystery of Life (from Young Frankenstein)

Your horoscope for July 1, 2009

Love and romance are apt to be among your top priorities for today, SUSAN. Someone from far away might have captured your heart, and you could therefore be looking forward to getting together with this person tonight, perhaps to attend a concert or sports event. You should find this person's presence very healing right now, and at the end of the evening feel inspired both mentally and physically. Have fun!

Yesterday's observation was pretty d*mn accurate (except for the "concert or sports event" reference) - my husband, who I haven't seen since May 19, arrived last night for a long weekend visit... and we are currently enjoying much-needed reconnection time at my sister's (headed to mom's mid-day tomorrow)...

Yes... I do admit to writing this post in advance - "the wai-ai-ai-ting is the hardest part" (Tom Petty... :-)

SONG: Ah! Sweet Mystery of Life (from Young Frankenstein)

BOOK: The Soul of Sex: Cultivating Life as an Act of Love by Thomas Moore

POEM: Meditation on the Word Need by Linda Rodriguez

The problem with words of emotion

is how easily meaning drains

from their fiddle-sweet sounds

and they become empty instruments.

I can say love

and mean desire to give—

open-handed, open-hearted—

or I am drawn to the light

shining from your soul—

or my life is empty without you—

or I want to run my hands

and mouth down the length of you—

or all of these at once.

Need, now, is a plain word.

I need a nail to hang this picture.

I need money to pay my bills.

I need air and light,

water and food,
shelter from storm and sun and cold.
To be healthy,
to be sane,
to survive,
I need you.

QUOTE(S): "Sex is not the answer. Sex is the question. "Yes" is the answer." ~ Swami X

"Love is the answer, but while you are waiting for the answer, sex raises some pretty good questions." ~ Woody Allen

"A chicken and an egg are lying in bed. The chicken is smoking a cigarette with a satisfied smile on its face and the egg is frowning and looking put out. The egg mutters to no one in particular, "I guess we answered that question." ~ Author Unknown