What if surrender isn’t a straight line you walk once, but a spiral you keep circling as you rise?
Most of us imagine surrender as a single, dramatic moment—the day we finally lay it all down, the instant we wave the white flag. And yes, those moments matter. But real surrender is rarely one-and-done. It’s a spiral. A winding, upward journey where you circle familiar struggles, but each time at a higher level, with deeper wisdom and greater freedom.
The power of seeing surrender as a spiral is this: you can locate yourself in the process. Instead of shaming yourself for not being “there yet,” you can honor the stage you’re in and keep climbing.
Why We Misunderstand Surrender
We’ve been taught to view surrender as an event: I surrendered once, so why am I still struggling? When the same fears, regrets, or control issues show up again, we feel like failures. But what if it’s not failure? What if it’s just the spiral at work?
In reality, surrender is a process of revisiting the same lessons at deeper levels. Each time you circle back, you’re not stuck—you’re stronger.
The Spiral Explained
Picture a spiral staircase. From above, it looks like you’re going in circles. But in truth, you’re rising. Each turn brings you back near the same spot—but on a higher level. That’s how surrender works.
- First circle: You recognize the need to let go.
- Second circle: You release at a deeper level.
- Third circle: You begin to live lighter and freer.
- Fourth circle: You help others walk the same path.
The spiral means progress is not about perfection—it’s about rising, one surrender at a time.
White Flagging and the Spiral
In White Flagging: The Surprising Power of Winning by Surrender, Dr. Val Ukachi reveals that surrender isn’t about weakness—it’s about transformation. The spiral of surrender captures this beautifully. Each time you wave the white flag, you’re not back at zero—you’re spiraling upward. The flag marks your rise, not your defeat.
How to Find Where You Are in the Spiral
- The Recognition Stage. You’re beginning to see what’s weighing you down. You feel the tension of carrying regrets, fears, or battles you can’t win. This stage is marked by awareness.
- The Release Stage. You wave the white flag and let go. This is the powerful moment of surrender, where you unclench your fists and trust what you cannot control.
- The Renewal Stage. Freedom begins to grow. You feel lighter, clearer, and stronger. This stage is where resilience sprouts from the soil of surrender.
- The Ripple Stage. Your surrender impacts others. People notice your peace, your clarity, your joy—and they are drawn to find their own.
Locating yourself in the spiral is not about judgment—it’s about clarity. It reminds you that surrender is a living journey, not a one-time milestone.
Stories of the Spiral
- The Leader. He kept circling control issues. Each spiral deeper, he learned to trust his team more. His surrender didn’t mean he failed—it meant he grew.
- The Parent. She circled back to guilt again and again. Each surrender softened her heart and deepened her connection with her children.
- The Survivor. He revisited bitterness many times. But with each spiral, forgiveness rooted deeper, until joy became his anchor.
Every return to the spiral was not a setback—it was a step upward.
Why This Reframe Matters
Because without it, you’ll mistake progress for failure. You’ll think: Why am I still here? Instead of realizing: I am not where I was. I’m higher than before.
Seeing surrender as a spiral gives you grace. It allows you to honor the journey and keep rising without shame.
Anchoring Yourself in the Spiral
- Notice the Stage. Are you recognizing, releasing, renewing, or rippling?
- Honor Your Progress. Even if you’re circling, you’re higher than last time.
- Practice Daily White Flag Moments. Small surrenders anchor freedom and keep you rising.
- Celebrate Growth. Every spiral upward is worth celebrating, no matter how small.
The Prosperity of the Spiral
The spiral of surrender creates prosperity far deeper than material wealth:
- Peace. Each release quiets the storms inside.
- Clarity. Each renewal sharpens your vision.
- Strength. Each surrender builds resilience.
- Impact. Each ripple inspires others to surrender too.
This is wealth measured in wholeness.
Final Thought
Surrender is not a single white-flag moment. It is a spiral—a rising journey where each surrender lifts you higher. Don’t shame yourself for circling back to the same struggles. Look closely—you’re not where you were. You’ve risen.
Wave the white flag again. Keep climbing. Because in the spiral of surrender, every circle is progress, and every release is a rise.
👉 Learn how to locate yourself in the spiral of surrender in White Flagging: The Surprising Power of Winning by Surrender. Order your copy here: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0FJ9R8Y4Q