“Our inability to surrender had always blocked the effective entry of a Higher Power into our lives. Willingness was the lever with which we moved this obstruction.”

– Life with Hope, first edition, page 11

My inability to surrender has brought me tears and frustration, particularly because I truly thought I had surrendered on numerous occasions. To surrender, I’ve learned, means to accept people, places, things, and situations as being exactly as they are at this moment. When I resist surrender, I create negative energy that blocks the spiritual connection between me and my Higher Power. The evidence of this blockage is that I become restless, irritable, and discontent. My character defects begin to appear and eventually take over.

In order to connect meaningfully on a daily basis with my Higher Power, I need to use my energy to practice willingness to surrender and accept life on life’s terms instead of on my terms. Living life on my terms brings me depression, resentment, and relapse (with or without a substance). Living life on life’s terms in harmony with my Higher Power brings me serenity, and I can then practice love and tolerance of others.

Final thought: Today, I will practice the willingness to accept things as they are right now, surrendering my will and my life to my Higher Power, using my energy to maintain the spiritual connection.