Your Own Rescue

No one is coming to save you.

If you want to be saved you will have to do it yourself.

“Acceptance is not surrender. It is the moment you stop wasting energy on what is already true and start using that energy to decide what to do next.” – Shane Parrish, Brain Food newsletter

Knowing what to do in your own rescue requires stillness.

You can’t run around like a chicken with your head cut off.

That will create more problems than it solves.

“Get yourself grounded and you can navigate even the stormiest roads in peace.” – Steve Goodier

Make a plan and when the time is right, act.

Time is running out.

In everyone’s life, there will come a time when we can’t take care of ourselves, much less come to our own rescue.

“Get busy with life’s purpose, toss aside empty hopes, get active in your own rescue – if you care for yourself at all – and do it while you can.” – Marcus Aurelius, Meditations 3.14

Don’t wait until it’s too late. You are the only one who can help yourself.

Surrender v. Acceptance

Are they the same?

Surrender seems passive like giving up.

“Surrender, in a biblical context, refers to the act of yielding or submitting to the authority and will of God.” – biblehub.com

Acceptance seems as if you are not just realizing the nature of the situation, but are taking action to fix it.

“Acceptance is not surrender. It is the moment you stop wasting energy on what is already true and start using that energy to decide what to do next.” – Shane Parrish, Farnum Street/Brain Food Newsletter

What if they are two sides of the same coin?

Acceptance means you take people, places, and things as they are not as you want them to be.

You are going to do your part in changing the situation for the better.

Surrender means you are going to be ok with whatever the outcome of your actions are.

Effort, not outcome.

That’s the only thing we have control over, our effort.

We have to accept that.

We have to surrender to whatever outcome comes our way based on that effort.

Easier said than done.

“Don’t seek to have events happen as you wish, but wish them to happen as they do happen, and all will be well with you.” – Epictetus

Fate will happen whether you want it to or not.

It’s best to accept your situation as it is. Give your best effort and surrender to the outcome.