SURRENDER.

In December 2018, I did a Wim Hof workshop to learn how to use his breathing techniques to generate internal heat, mental focus and strength. The capstone was a 5 minute ice bath.

I got through the whole day’s exercises feeling strong… So good that I offered to go last, as an act of service—which meant I stood in the snow in nothing but shorts, for an extra 40 mins, while all the others went in. Finally, it was my turn…

I dropped into the icy plunge. I was feeling strong for the first 15 seconds, but then my mind and body took over and wanted to fight and resist…

I started to shiver and lose my focus on my breath, my muscles tensed…

*Gasp*

…the instructor squeezed my shoulder and whispered “Surrender” in my ear…

Instantly, I relaxed into my environment. As my tension eased, I found my focus and felt control return. Suddenly, i was warm and comfortable inside, and felt so much mental clarity and strength.

I felt my body ease and a smile crack…

…then full laughter as I felt my focus dominate my circumstances. My thoughts created my experience.

>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>

SURRENDER

Give way away from the way you are trying too hard to carve

Take rest in the process your soul is driving you to pursue

Exist in a space of absolute submission to the calling of your heart.

Let it walk you to fulfillment and wisdom’s true definition of success

Yield to the things that draw you and make your stomach flip. Don’t resist

Fear says people will not love you the same

Fear says you are not a good player in that game

Fear says hold back, fight, avoid, excuse, play it safe

Fear says I can’t accept a different path, stay your lane

Does your heart sometimes tell you things your mind tries to hide?

Does your mind sometimes cry about fearful things that are actually unseen…

but your mind seems convinced actually exist?

But what if they don’t? How would that be? What a relief.

But if you want to believe the things your mind tells you are true…

why don’t you ask your mind to tell you

about all the most wonderful life-changing things in your queue?

The experiences you dream happen to you.

The abundance of love and wealth and health and freedom and friends

and comfort and connection and community, and anything that matters to you.

Why not think about how thankful you are for the coffee in your hand or,

the sleep the night before or,

the little kids gathered in your living room, keeping you warm.

Think about the service you have done or the impact you’ll make but,

please don’t think you’re not enough, too anything, or unsomething…

Your beliefs and thoughts create your inner world… and believe it or not, your inner existence is reflected in your outer experience.

Your thoughts create your reality, so cut ties with those thoughts that do not serve you.

Replace them with words that soothe you­–the ones that move you to pursue… bliss.