How to surrender in 2022, and trust that the universe has your back?
New Year’s resolutions are important to everyone. We use them to help us focus on our goals for the year in order to make all of our dreams come true. And the year 2022 is no exception. This year, we all want to find love, write a TV show, and, most importantly, love yourself.
• Instead of making several resolutions to make this happen,rather to use dating apps, I’ve decided to make just one this year: to surrender.
• Instead of pushing myself all the time, I'm going to believe that universe has my back and let things happen on their own. And, rather than focusing solely on my future goals, I intend to live fully in the present, appreciating everything I already have.
• To put it another way, I'm going to trust and surrender.
• Surrender is a spiritual belief that has been practised for centuries but is making a comeback. I first heard about it a few years ago on Oprah's podcast, and now everyone from Gwyneth Paltrow to Fearne Cotton attributes their happiness and success to the act of surrendering.
• Gabby Bernstein, a New York Times bestselling author, has written several books about the importance of surrendering, including her most recent Happy Days, and she regularly shares her surrendering tips with her 1 million Instagram followers.
“EVERY MESSAGE I’VE GROWN UP WITH, WHETHER FROM TEACHERS AT SCHOOL OR HOLLYWOOD MOVIES, STRESSED THE IMPORTANCE OF FIGHTING FOR YOUR DREAMS NO MATTER WHAT” - Gabby Bernstein.
• Surrendering, according to her, entails " to trust the Universe and its flow," which leads to us becoming a "magnet for miracles." When I tell her I've decided to make it my new year's resolution, she congratulates me and suggests that GLAMOUR readers do the same:
• "Rather than focusing on what you want to GET in 2022, resolve to lean toward faith rather than fear." Believe that the Universe has a plan far greater than your own. Believe that the universe has your back and that everything around you is being taken care of. Don't sweat the small stuff, and trust that whatever is best for you is on its way.
• This is the ultimate form of surrender.”
• It may appear that Gabby is simply giving up, but she insists that this is not the case. "Many of us believe that the more we do, push, and try to control, the more we will manifest. It's the exact opposite. When we take our hands off the steering wheel, life begins to flow."
• She has learned this firsthand as a self-avowed former control freak, whether it was trying to control the success of her nine books or her attempts to get pregnant at the exact right time for her career.
• But she now chooses to accept her reality as the highest good, leaning into what is already flourishing in her life rather than constantly focusing on her goals and seeing obstacles as detours in the right direction.
• These are not things that come naturally to me. Every message I've received as a child, whether from teachers at school or Hollywood movies, has emphasised the importance of never giving up on your dreams.
• "Try to hold on loosely to the outcome you want rather than gripping on tightly," therapist Aimee Falchuk advises. She explains that surrendering has a physical benefit:
• "When we force things, we're in fight or flight mode." Going about things in this manner has an effect – whether you're frustrated, dissatisfied, or exhausted. You are expending too much energy. It's less tiring when we loosen our grip.
• On a purely physical level, it enables us to shift away from an activated system and toward a healthy balance."
• She's right; we're stressed when we try to micromanage our lives, whether it's swiping on dating apps or anything else. It's not a pleasant experience. But the moment we "loosen our grip" on everything we want in life, we can relax and enjoy it.
• We can appreciate the possibility of falling in love and focusing on the present rather than the when/where/how of our future.
• We have no idea if our dreams will ever come true, or what they will look like if they do. However, by surrendering, we are choosing to believe and trust the universe.
• Most importantly, we are acknowledging that we are merely human beings in a vast universe over which we have no control.
• “Surrendering is an exercise in humility,” agrees Aimee. Acceptance can be difficult at times." And, on occasion, we must use our will to effect change – this is not a time to resign or abdicate responsibility. It's just a matter of not gripping as tightly as you should."
• So, this year, we’re going to breathe through our anxiety, trust that everything will fall back into place and simply enjoy the sensation of letting our future unfold without trying to control it. Because "the more you feel it, the more you'll believe it," as Gabby puts it.