Strength in Surrender

#reverb15 - Day 9 of 21What no longer serves you? What can you let go or get rid of? Surrender?{Please read the original on elephant}

December 7th in Guatemala is La Quema del Diablo—the burning of the devil.

Folks build bonfires outside their homes, and burn the piles of trash and old furniture, as well as an effigy of Satan.According to tradition and superstition, the devil lurks under the furniture and in the garbage, so by burning the household trash, as well as old tables and beds, the devil and all his evil spirits are eradicated. A plethora of firecrackers are also set off, of course. People here adore fireworks, the louder the better.December 8th happens to be the Feast of the Immaculate Conception, which is an important Catholic celebration. All the injustices of the previous year are forgiven through the devil-burning ritual, and the celebration of the Virgin Mary can begin the next day, without interference from Satan. As the story goes—the rich would adorn their homes with beautiful lanterns, while the poor would torch bonfires of garbage.Even if we don’t literally burn the devil like they do in Guatemala, it is as good a reminder as any to take stock of what we can let go of.I am letting go of my attachment to expectations and plans.I am letting go of my need to always be right.I am letting go of unhealthy eating habits.All this letting go—all this devil-burning—creates space for fresh seeds to be planted and for newness to be born.