You know those days when life feels like a never-ending game of dodgeball and the universe has an unlimited supply of balls? Yeah, I’ve been living one of those days for, oh, the past few years.

Escaping into Disney and Pixar movies has become my guilty pleasure. They're predictable, safe, and always end well. Even their "dramatic" moments are just minor hiccups—nothing that makes me want to curl up in the fetal position. I keep watching the Pixar movie Soul from time to time. As I reflect on the concept of surrendering to a higher power, I find myself repeatedly drawn to Soul. This film beautifully encapsulates the journey of letting go and embracing the unknown.

One of my favorite moments in the movie is when Joe Gardner says, "I’m not sure. But I do know I’m going to live every minute of it." It's like he's saying, "Hey, I have no clue what's going on either, but let's roll with it!" This perfectly sums up the essence of surrendering—living fully in the present and trusting that somehow, it will all work out.

So, why am I telling you this? Well, it’s been a while—and by a while, I mean since the dinosaurs texted "BRB" and never came back—that I’ve been grappling with the concept of surrender. Trusting that everything will be okay, that I’m taken care of, and that no matter what, the universe isn’t out to get me. Maybe it’s the overthinker in me, maybe it’s my fantastic brain on steroids. I am fully aware I am an overthinker, and it’s beyond my control. God knows how much I try to be present and just let go—okay, maybe not let go fully, but at least try to surrender to the higher power out there. Don’t get me wrong, I am a believer. I believe in God Almighty and His wisdom. What I am struggling with is believing that things will be okay somehow, someway.

Here I am, trying to figure out how to surrender. Seriously, where’s the “Surrendering for Dummies” guidebook when you need it? Most days, it feels like trying to assemble IKEA furniture without the manual—frustrating, confusing, and guaranteed to end with a few leftover screws and a lot of existential dread.

We trust pilots to fly us across the sky in a giant metal tube, taxi drivers to navigate us through chaotic city streets, and even strangers to make our coffee just right. But somehow, trusting that God has a plan for us? That's where we start to lose our cool. It’s like, “Sure, I’ll trust a random person on the internet to give me the right directions, but trust the universe with my life plan? Whoa, slow down there, buddy!”

Isn't it funny how we can so easily place our trust in people we don't know, yet struggle to let go and believe that a higher power might have things under control? We let doctors diagnose us, chefs prepare our meals, and teachers educate our children. But when it comes to the grand scheme of our own lives, we suddenly turn into control freaks, clutching the reins so tightly that our knuckles turn white.

Maybe it’s because with humans, there's a semblance of predictability. There's a manual, a set of rules, or at least a Yelp review to guide us. But trusting in the universe? That requires a leap of faith with no safety net in sight. It means accepting that we don't have all the answers, and that's terrifying.

So here I am, trying to loosen my grip, one finger at a time. Trying to believe that just maybe, there’s a bigger plan at work. That even if I can't see the whole picture right now, it doesn’t mean it’s not being painted. It’s a work in progress, much like my journey of surrendering and learning to trust the process.

It's not like I don't know that everything will be taken care of, that I am taken care of, but I keep trying to control it all and I shouldn't. It's like trying to juggle flaming torches while riding a unicycle—unnecessarily complicated and bound to end in disaster.

I get it, intellectually. I know that surrendering means letting go of the need to control every single detail and trusting that things will work out. But there’s a stubborn part of me that insists on micro-managing the universe, as if my worrying will somehow make the plane fly smoother or the taxi avoid all traffic.

So, how do we let go? How do we embrace the art of surrendering and trust that everything will fall into place? Here's the thing: I'm human. Some days, I'm pretty good at this whole surrender thing. Other days, not so much. Sometimes I feel like a zen master, letting go with grace and poise. Other times, I’m like a toddler clinging to my favorite toy, not ready to let go of control just yet.

So for now, I’ll keep trying and practicing being present in the moment and accepting it as it is. I’ll try to trust that the universe, or a higher power, has a plan for us, even if we can’t see it. I’ll try to accept that we don't need to have all the answers right now, and that's perfectly fine.

So, here I am, still discovering, still learning, and sometimes failing spectacularly at letting go. But that's part of the journey, right? To keep practicing, to keep reminding myself that it's going to be okay in the end. And if it’s not okay, it’s not the end.

This week, I’m making a promise to you dear readers. I'm going to try something new to help me let go. I’m going to attempt to relinquish control over my daily schedule. Yes, I know, it sounds like a recipe for chaos, but hear me out. I’ll set my intentions for the day, but then let the day unfold as it will. If a meeting runs over or a task takes longer than expected, I’ll try to breathe, smile, and trust that it’s all happening as it should. Maybe I'll even toss in a little spontaneous dance party to shake off the need to control every minute. Wish me luck!

Today's Wisdom:

"If you feel lost, disappointed, hesitant, or weak, return to yourself, to who you are, here and now. And when you get there, you will discover yourself, like a lotus flower in full bloom, even in a muddy pond, beautiful and strong." —Masaru Emoto

Masaru Emoto was a Japanese researcher known for his work on the impact of human consciousness on water molecules. He believed that positive thoughts, words, and intentions could transform the structure of water into beautiful, crystalline patterns. While his work is debated, his ideas about the power of positivity continue to inspire many.

This quote resonates deeply with me, especially as I navigate the journey of surrendering and letting go. It's a reminder that even in our most challenging moments, when we're trying to juggle life's flaming torches, we can find strength and beauty within ourselves. By returning to who we truly are and embracing the present, we discover that we are resilient, just like a lotus flower blooming in muddy waters.

Remember, keep whispering your truth—because surrendering means trusting that everything will work out, even when you can't see how.

Leila ❤️