Ever wanted something so bad – a relationship, a job, a winning lottery ticket – that just didn't come through? Have you ever planned years to achieve something that simply went to someone else, leaving you lost and wondering why? If so, we have some work to do. We have some letting go to do. We have some surrendering to do.
Surrender: Let Go and Allow the Flow
Every single time we make a plan and we think it's going to go the way we want it to, we're spending all of that time planning for something that hasn't even happened yet. So, when life comes at you with your worst, you have a choice: to stand there, accept it and move forward, or put it off and say, 'Maybe later.' But my suggestion, and the only thing I've ever known, is that now is everything – so enjoy it.- Selena Gomez
I love Oprah's story about how she got the role as Sophia in the movie version of The Color Purple. It happened after a period of crippling discouragement where she was led to audition for the film, only to be told she wasn't a "real actress" -- and asked how dare she have the temerity to turn up to audition alongside all the other real actresses in the first place.
She felt betrayed; like she had been guided toward failure by God. She even went as far as believing that perhaps the reason she didn't get the part was because of her weight. So she went to a fat farm, and after running round the track for multiple laps, she stopped, cried, and started to sing the Christian hymn, "I Surrender All."
What she understood was that the only way to get over and move forward from her disappointment was to surrender it. To give it up. She had to imagine herself being content with seeing another actress in the role she craved, to be able to say, "Actually, it was a good thing she got it and not me."
And that was when the miracle happened. Shortly after this brief but beautiful moment of surrender, she received a phone call from Steven Spielberg offering her the part. The key? She let go and allowed the flow to do its work.
Life follows no plan
We probably each have a million things like this we could let go of. Job promotions, audition callbacks, decisions from publishers. If only we could recognize that clinging is a form of resistance. Clinging is putting out the message that we are not worthy, and that if things do not happen exactly as we've planned them, we're doomed. And what happens when we cling, when we resist? Our disappointments persist.
To surrender isn't to stop trying; it's to recognize that when we have tried our best, we're allowed to be content and at ease with ourselves regardless of the outcome. It is a deep acceptance that if this one thing doesn't work out, there is something greater for us in store. Just watching this video of Lisa Kudrow's speech about the obstacles and setbacks she faced before ending up on the hit TV show Friends will confirm that for you.
What would happen if you could let go of your picture-perfect plans now, if you could give yourself permission to be enough now, if you could trust the flow of your life now? I guarantee your surroundings would change. Because as Eckhart Tolle said, "If you get the inside right, the outside will fall into place."
Have a dream, and let it go
Surrendering is about having an intention, working as hard as possible toward that intention, and then, in the words of Jim Carrey, "Letting go of how it comes to pass." Getting bogged down in the specifics can block you... And it's also much less fun! What would there be to live for if everything always went according to plan? If we knew exactly how our lives would pan out moment by moment? It might be awesome for a minute (I admit!), but after that minute expires, it would be like exhausting all of the cheat codes on your favorite video game in one sitting: you'd be left with an empty feeling like you've done it all, and you'd want to play something else. It's no way to perceive your entire life.
Once again in the words of Oprah Winfrey: "Have the dream and then surrender it to that which is greater than yourself." Have the dream, love the dream, nurture the dream, water the dream, work fiercely and diligently toward the dream – but then when all that work is said and done, have the courage to let it go.
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Military Dad Defends His 4 Little Daughters When Strangers Make This Rude Remark
Military Dad of 4 Daughters Defends His Girls When Strangers Make This Rude Remark
Austin von Letkemann is the military officer strangers feel "sorry" for — and the reason is infuriating.
Whenever the devoted father leaves the house with his four children, strangers can't help but notice the officer in uniform is holding hands with 4 adorable little girls. They will tell the traditionally "masculine" and "all American" dad they feel sorry for him, because he has no sons. This dad makes one thing very clear: They are his daughters, they aren't a burden.
In a passionate video, von Letkemann took to Instagram to share with his followers that the only thing that's "difficult" about being a girl dad — is clapping back to these sexist remarks over and over again.
They Mock His Daughters To Their Face
When strangers approach Austin von Letkemann and his four daughters, they don't always realize that their comments are being overheard. They seem oblivious to the fact that his girls understand every word. Von Letkemann describes how people will approach him and, without thinking, make remarks like "I'm sorry" or even joke about his lack of sons. What they don't realize is that these comments, intended to be light-hearted or humorous, can be deeply hurtful to his daughters. These strangers are not just disrespecting von Letkemann's choices as a father; they're also sending a message to his daughters that their presence is something to be pitied. It’s a message that von Letkemann won't stand for, and he's speaking out to defend his girls from these insensitive remarksSaying "Get Your Shotgun" Isn't Funny — It's Sexist
Another common comment that Austin von Letkemann encounters is the old "better get your shotgun ready" trope, often delivered with a smirk or a wink. This line is typically intended to suggest that a father with daughters should be on high alert to protect them from potential "suitors," implying that they are objects to be guarded rather than individuals with agency.
Von Letkemann finds this line of thinking outdated and sexist. In his viral Instagram video, he points out that these jokes are not just stale — they're damaging.
By suggesting that his daughters require armed protection, the joke reinforces the idea that women are inherently vulnerable and need to be shielded from men. Von Letkemann argues that instead of promoting this narrative, society should focus on teaching respect and consent, challenging these sexist tropes at their source.
Watch Austin von Letkemann's Video:
"If I Had A Fifth Child, I'd HOPE It Was A Girl" — One Dad's Message For Other Parents
Despite the constant remarks about his lack of sons, Austin von Letkemann is clear: He wouldn't trade his daughters for anything.
In fact, he told his Instagram followers that if he were to have a fifth child, he would hope for another girl. This declaration isn't just about doubling down on his pride in his family — it's a pointed response to those who see fathering daughters as a misfortune.
Von Letkemann's stance is a powerful one, rejecting the notion that a family is incomplete without sons. He encourages others to question the assumptions behind these comments and to appreciate the joy and fulfillment that his daughters bring. By sharing his story, von Letkemann hopes to create a more inclusive perspective on fatherhood, one that values daughters just as much as sons.