how, exactly, does one surrender?

i am trying hard, but it is not coming easily. ok, maybe i'm not really to the trying hard part, yet. maybe i'm mostly thinking hard about trying hard...

"i'm rubber, you're glue. whatever you say, bounces off me and sticks to you." i see the edge to this statement, but otherwise, isn't it ultimately about surrender. not absorbing everyone's feelings? allowing someone to say something in your presence without taking it on as "my shit"... ok, maybe not the sticks to you part... i'll have to find a better mantra...

peace