Tag: surrender

Return to wholeness through nature 

Imagine walking through a forest with the trickling flow of water from a stream, overlooking a landscape filled with lush trees and plants.

It can feel so calming, so peaceful.

Being in the presence of nature realigns your energy.

I find it brings me back to my senses.

Just through simple observation of what is seen, concentration on what is heard. Directing my attention to the smells of surrounding plants and vegetation.

There is scientific evidence that suggests a strong connection to nature enhances emotional wellbeing.

Benefits Of Being In Nature

First, the cognitive adjustment in how we think and function is a complimentary benefit. The step of taking a break from electronic screen time and exposure to everyday tasks. Allowing the mind to relax and settle into a peaceful state.

Second, simply taking the initiative to get outside into a space where the senses can be awakened to ascend into a ritual of mindful surrender.

The natural sounds in nature such as birds, wind, etc, have a calming effect throughout the mind and body.

Third, the experience deepens your connection to the natural world and shifts overall mood in the process.

The effects can be noticed with reduced stress, lower blood pressure,  immediately improve concentration and focus, and the release of endorphins which contribute feeling a sense of wellbeing.

Fourth, the experience offers a deeper connection to life. A deeper connection to self.

With that felt connection is the soothing effect it has on mental health.

The ability to relieve anxiety in the moment, to bring calmness in the mind and body.

Nature provides presence with the wonder, possibility, and beauty for the creation of life.

It allows you to surrender to something greater.

An understanding that being alive is enough.

It teaches you about life. You notice the movement from the wind. You see the curiosity in how things grow. Exploration in how these living things adapt and thrive in their environments. There is a powerful possibility in it’s grandeur.

There is an eternal gratitude for nature as the sole supplier to our survival with food, water, shelter, medicine and materials.

It is part of the contributing factors to what brings joy in life.

Mindfulness in Life Experiences

To be present in life requires mindfulness.

Mindfulness is being aware, paying attention without attachment by choice.

Choosing to be present in the moment.

Mindfulness is a state of being where body and mind are in the same mental and physical place at the same time.

In that moment, thoughts of past or future don’t exist.

It is so easy to go through daily routines or just “go through the motions.”

Mindfulness would be to step outside that pattern and be aware of the actions, things you are doing throughout the day.

The Benefits of Being Mindful

It can reduce stress by having awareness of thoughts and emotions that are occurring in the moment. There is an opportunity to process them.

Situations are no longer just reactionary.

What this means is having self control and not reacting  with a response of impulsive behavior. In addition, mindfulness allows for mental calmness in a state of composure. Within that composure is mental clarity and concentration.

You place all focus on what you are doing with aligned action. Awareness for where you are in the moment. Living into who you are choosing to be with intention and discipline. Functioning from a conscious thought process. This could be referred to as “the higher self” or “divine self.”

There is one important attribute that mindfulness offers in life. It is the ability to relate to self and others. In this space, kindness, compassion and acceptance are visible in awareness. Mindfulness can offer other perspectives. The perspectives offer other opportunities and choices.

There is a choice to step into the intentions of who you are being.

From my own personal experience, mindfulness has helped me with connection.

Mindfulness helps bring me back to a neutral operating state. Release from the dominating thoughts of judgment.

Letting go of the worries, the doubts.

It is a place of focus and intention on the present.

It breaks moments down into observable pieces.

You notice things start to slow down.

There is an appreciation for all that is right now.

Surrendering To Presence In Life

Challenges Getting In The Way

The experiences encountered in life can present challenges in the way our thoughts interact with them. Emotions may reinforce the thoughts which produce the perception that the situation is difficult to navigate with the creation of doubts and worry.

The struggle that is encountered is met with ways that are decided to alleviate the suffering.

Sometimes this translates into enduring the suffering because it is resisted.

Struggle and discomfort always come with a choice.

The choice is accentuated if the  choice to see the resistance being held onto is viewed as less important than what is desired to be thinking and feeling.

The obstacle is seeing past all the things that are getting in the way of realizing that.

Surrendering becomes a spiritual process. The choice can only be made in presence.

Believing you are enough as you are now, to make that choice.

What this means is the only choice needed to surrender is presence.

Held within presence is to accept “what is.”

Closing your eyes, feeling into presence. Relaxing your body. Feeling your soul.

Giving yourself permission to surrender. Choosing to release the struggle.

Asking Yourself

Asking yourself, “what am I holding resistance to?”

“Why is it important I hold this resistance?”

“What do I gain from holding onto it?”

“What would happen if I let it go?”

I envision myself letting go of what I am surrendering to.

What happens?

What happens to my thoughts?

What happens to my emotions?
I thank myself for doing my best in these moments.

I allow myself to let go and surrender.

The resistance that was present disappears.

In that moment I am free.

That moment is filled with gratitude and presence.

Compassion Brings Me Back To Inner Peace

In this moment I am free.

It becomes easier to do it again if I choose to surrender.

“Surrendering becomes a spiritual process. The choice can only be made in presence.”

– Kristin Sven Larsen