Thread -
Life is unpredictable. The more we think we hv figured it all out, the more mysterious it gets. It makes us ponder at its ability to pull off unimaginable tricks! There r some happy surprises n some downright cruel! It is when we r delivered an unexpected blow that

our inner strength is put to test. It is at this time that life summons faith and surrender to Bhagawan..
Faith does not mean we tame life or dictate terms to it! One may wonder if it worthwhile then to pray to Bhagawan who cannot fix our problems!
There is a touching story

from the epic 'Ramayana'.
Rama and Lakshmana were wandering the woods in search of Sita. They came across a serene pool surrounded by fragrant flowers. Lakshmana suggested they bathe in the pool and rest for sometime. Rama took off the bow from his shoulders and put it on the

ground. Hanging the quivers on their bows, they entered the pool to soothe their limbs. After bathing and resting they got ready to leave. When Rama lifted his bow, he heard the faint croak of a frog. He looked down and saw a small frog lying injured where his bow had been kept

Overcome with compassion he immediately picked the frog in his palms. Rama asked the frog why he didnt call for help when the bow hit him!
The frog though in pain said, "Rama the whole world calls you when they are hurt by others, but who is left to call when you yourself decide

to hurt someone"!
Rama apologised to the frog like an ordinary mortal. The frog then said,
"Rama am so happy though"! Rama and Lakshmana looked at the frog in surprise and wondered what was there to be happy!
The frog said, " The only thing sweeter than dying BY your hands is to

die IN YOUR HANDS. How lucky I am that I will breathe my last in your hands"!
I thought this is what surrender is all about!
There are things outside my control in this world and I agree to Nature or Bhagawan handle those elements for me!
Faith does not mean that no harm will

befall us or everything will work out the way we envisage. It means that we simply accept the fact that there r numerous n intricate workings of nature that we do not understand but we r fine with it!
As a frog I may not foresee the landing of a bow on my back and break my

bones, but it cannot break my faith, my spirit and surrender to Bhagawan. Bhagawan wont desire anyone's faith or wealth! Thus surrender is not to please Bhagawan but strengthen ourselves. It is to lead a life of love and humility!
The doubting mind-
A man was driving down a

hilly road when his car toppled while making a sharp turn. He managed to tumble out of the car but was falling into a deep gorge. Miraculously he managed to grab the branch of an old tree. The man called out to Bhagawan with the greatest fervour. He kept doing it a few more times

until he heard a voice tell him, "Let go of the branch, I will protect you".
The man looked down to see the deep gorge again. He saw no chance of survival. He looked heaven ward and asked, "Are you sure"?
"Yes let go", the voice said!
The man thought for a second and then

asked, "Is there anyone else up there"?
Somewhere most of us have made surrender a joke! We challenge, we rebel, we question when what happens in our life is not in line with our expectations! When negatives happen in our lives we think we havent done anything wrong to deserve it

May be or may be not! It may well be that we hv conveniently overlooked our transgressions and spiritual trespasses. But Nature never overlooks anything! Never!
Mangoes do not grow on apple trees!
What good is any faith if it shakes in an hour of crisis!
Our true surrender

surfaces when the going gets really tough!!
Surrender is not in lieu of anything! It is just an expression of gratitude, a way to express our shraddha, bhakti or love to the Divine.
Surrender is an antidote of suffering beyond our control. To discover the beautiful pearls of life

one has to hold on to the anchor of faith..

@aparnasridhar7 since u asked me to write Aparna!
@mayfair1958
@chittukuruvi4
@shivaniojha