This lesson may be one of the hardest to walk and live, at least for me. From early on in life we are taught to “go after life”, “we have control”, “set goals”, “do this, and this, and this, at certain points in our life to succeed.” Trusting with surrendered patience does not come easy, and for most it feels very uncomfortable. The misconception that we have control is a fascinating one to watch in others and experience in my own life. You will be booking along, looking to the future with your plan in hand, then poof! Life sends you a little message reminding you that it can do a 180, throwing you into a tailspin or opening up an opportunity you did not expect.

How does this come into play at the gym, you may be asking? Well, I always found the increase in gym memberships right after the New Year fascinating. The big New Years resolutions to lose weight, take better care of the body and get in shape. By the end of January almost a third of those people would stop coming. February brought more departures, by March, only a few stayed to stick with it. The instant gratification mind set completely sabotaging what could have become with trusting surrendered patience. I have of course also witnessed the lack of patience with how long it will take for weight to “fall off”, for the muscles to appear and the challenge of going to the gym to ease. The lack of self – trust sprouting up all over the place, listening to the inner mind criticizing and demoralizing the efforts to create change. We are not encouraged to be patient, to trust, to surrender. I hear patience and trust espoused all over the place, yet I do not experience or witness it truly being applied at the gym or anywhere else with sincerity. Why? Why do we want to rush life, push the tide, or force the happenings in our lives? I ponder, what gets missed by living with such fast paced intensity?

I have often heard the wise statement “it is not the destination, but the journey you will remember”. If I look back on my life, I can see how there is truth in this. As I glance at my present path, I can view how the challenge of rising up to meet my dreams will be what I remember. While the outcome will be wonderful, it will be all the experiences along the way which will create the treasured memories. I can look at the piece of paper which represents my bachelors degree, the paper itself means nothing, its the adventure of four universities, the six different majors explored, the people I met, the perseverance it took and the memory of my children standing with me at the finish line. The same is true of the first business I created, it was never the finished real estate publication that filled me up, it was the strength it took to go to thirty-two real estate offices in one day to “sell” ads, it was the relationships built, it was the incredible lessons learned, the exhaustion of working two part-time jobs in addition to the business – all of this built my character. As a teacher the journey was wide and deep. Full of daily nuggets that touched my heart, soul and mind.

When I remember to embrace trust with patience and surrender, time seems to warp and unfold in a colorful extravaganza. Gracing me with unexpected lessons, new connections, ah-ha moments, and often impacting  what happens next. What if, you took a deep breath, surrendered (that means let go) with trust and allowed patience its miracle making potential? I wonder what might unfold? What opportunities might you notice just by slowing down (patience)? What would it feel like to trust that all is as it is meant to be? How might your heart and soul open and expand in the grace of falling back into the arms of sweet surrender? Just some thoughts to ponder over the weekend :-)!

I thank you all for journeying with me for the second full week on this blog. I can’t wait for next week, I have no doubts that miracles will burst forth. Until we meet again, A.C.T. (always choose truth) as you step, for it will undoubtedly create and offer more in your life. In joyful gratitude….