Living With The Inevitable

“I cannot always control what goes on outside. But I can always control what goes on inside.”- Wayne Dyer

Every day, I discover new things about myself that I was not aware I was capable or incapable of. However, one thing I do know for sure is that I have a penchant to control things around me. I love controlling my schedule, my time, and my life. But you see, we all know nothing in life is certain. We can make plans as much as we want, but eventually, there is only so much we can control. Some things are uncontrollable, and the only thing left to do is to deal with the uncontrollable.

 

We cannot control what will happen tomorrow, we cannot control nature, we cannot control the families we are born into, we cannot control our dates of births, we cannot control our race, we cannot control how people think or act towards us. There is a difference between living and existing. The former is filled with hope and the latter is the exact opposite. Choosing to live, despite our inability to control everything around us, is the ability to exude positivity in any and every situation we find ourselves in.

 

Here are various ways to channel positivity and deal with situations you cannot control :

 

1. Focus on the things you can control: Though you may not be able to dominate various things in your life, there are still some things within your control. Reflect on those things that you can control, center all your energy into such things and you will be more productive.

 

2. Live in the moment: Instead of directing your energy and thoughts towards uncertainty, live in the moment! Take that vacation you’ve always wanted, read that book that has been sitting in your library for months, quit that job that makes you feel so unhappy, do that thing you’ve been reserving for the future! You have control of the present so act on it.

 

3. Embrace change: There is this famous quote that I love so much – “The only constant thing in life is change”. That is my mantra, and you can make it yours too. The moment you understand that things cannot always remain the same, you become okay with it and then you can accept it! Change is growth and should be welcomed, whether positive or negative, you can always learn from it.

 

4. Surrender: Give all your anxieties and worries to God, who unlike you, can control everything. He knows you and sees your heart. The moment you understand that there is nothing you can do on your own, it is easier to surrender to the Lord. He will fight your battles on your behalf and deal with everything you consider challenging. All you have to do is to give yourself to Him.

 

The Serenity Prayer is especially important, and I implore us all to take a minute to digest this prayer, examine every word and do your best to live by it. For those who do not know it, here is the prayer:

 

God, grant me the serenity
to accept the things I cannot change,
the courage to change the things I can,
and the wisdom to know the difference.
Living one day at a time,
enjoying one moment at a time;
accepting hardship as a pathway to peace;
taking, as Jesus did,
this sinful world as it is,
not as I would have it;
trusting that You will make all things right
if I surrender to Your will;
so that I may be reasonably happy in this life
and supremely happy with You forever in the next.
Amen.

 

This prayer practically hits the nail on the head, right?

 

Xo.

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