Conversation – 16

Control

The answer to control is practicing surrender.

Trying to maintain control in this life is a bit like trying to maintain control on a roller coaster. The ride has its own logic and is going to go its own way, regardless of how tightly you grip the bar. There is a thrill and a power in simply surrendering to the ride and fully feeling the ups and downs of it, letting the curves take you rather than fighting them. When you fight the ride, resisting what’s happening at every turn, your whole being becomes tense and anxiety is your close companion. When you go with the ride, accepting what you cannot control, freedom and joy will inevitably arise.

As with so many seemingly simple things in life, it is not always easy to let go, even of the things we know we can’t control. Most of us feel a great discomfort with the givens of this life, one of which is the fact that much of the time we have no control over what happens. Sometimes this awareness comes only when we have a stark encounter with this fact, and all our attempts to be in control are revealed to be unnecessary burdens. We can also cultivate this awareness in ourselves gently, by simply making surrender a daily practice. At the end of our meditation, we might bow, saying, “I surrender to this life.” This simple mantra can be repeated as necessary throughout the day, when we find ourselves metaphorically gripping the safety bar.

We can give in to our fear and anxiety, or we can surrender to this great mystery with courage. When we see people on a roller coaster, we see that there are those with their faces tight with fear and then there are those that smile broadly, with their hands in the air, carried through the ride on a wave of freedom and joy. This powerful image reminds us that often the only control we have is choosing how we are going to respond to the ride. 😎

@kittengirl,

Kitten in our hearts and prayers during this difficult time. 🌹

Cherie,

Happy Holidays to you and your family in S. California just stay safe. 😘💕

@shoelady60,

Good Afternoon in the burgh. 😘💕I do hope you have power a lot is going on in your
State. Stay in and be safe. Glad Jake has a path to go out.

I hope your mom and sister are doing well. Let me know how you are when you can.

Please stay safe and warm. Keep Jake by your side. 🌹

@71flowerchild,

Wishing you a safe and wonderful Holiday in Texas or New Mexico. Give the Jewell
and Little D an nice chilly OZ pet and hug. 😘💕😎Miss ya!

@taci,

Good Morning in S. California how are things going today? I never realized how large
Cali really is. I pray the vaccine works and we all get our lives back. 😘💕

Very chilly in OZ and I am fine with that we do have some sun. 😎 Enjoy this
Holiday Season. How is your son doing? I hope your mom is finished with her shopping
for others. 💕

Enjoy the trails today if you can. 😘

@oodiebom,

Good Afternoon in Florida. I hope you and hubby slept well. 😘Oodie let me know if you
find your comforter set. I am wishing you the best of luck I know you’ve got this. 💕😎

The other day you wish good things for me and my husband and I wish the same for you.

I will be watching Andrew Lessman this weekend. I like his presentation. I hope he has
a special on the eye vitamins soon. I take maybe 10 of his products. 💕 Well tomorrow
is trivia and the end of Hanukkah I hope this has been a good week for you. 🌹

@ddshoppy,

Good Morning in S. California enjoy the day and be safe. 😎

Enjoy the Holidays. 💕

@loaf,

Good Morning in the Rock and Roll Capital. Happy Holiday’s Loaf to you and your
entire family. 😘I pray all is well with you and yours. 💕

“My philosophy is to live in the now – yesterday is gone, you don’t know if there’s even going to be a tomorrow, so you might as well enjoy today. As my husband used to say, you should really live every day as if it were your last, because one day you’ll be right.”

-Iris Apfel

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