I’m super good at obsessing about certain things I have precious little control over. Truly – it’s a real talent of mine. I can spend hours raging about greedy bankers (my husband has suggested I start a website called ‘rant at banks’ which will just be filled with my nightly diatribe during the evening news!) I can get wound up over politics, the environment, shocking inequality, banks (oh mentioned those already haven’t I?) – there’s a whole list.
But the problem is, I can’t change much about any of these things – so I continue with my rants born of frustration and feelings of helplessness.
I know that I’m far happier (not to mention my husband is too!) when I limit the energy I spend worrying and raging against things I don’t have that much influence over. Whilst I’d love to think if any of the world leaders actually met me I’d be able to convince them to listen to me (my tongue if very firmly in my cheek here,) I know that a) it’s unlikely I’d ever get the chance to and b) they’d probably not give two hoots what I think either.
When it all gets too much I remember to focus my energy on what I can influence and let go of the things I have little or no control over. Steve Maraboli is right, incrediable change can happen within me if I’m focused on what I can control. I also feel infinitely calmer, more centered and peaceful.
Oh and I find that limiting my nightly news viewing helps.
You can read more about Steven Covey’s Circle Of Concern and Influence here
God grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change,
Courage to change the things I can
and wisdom to know the difference.
It all comes back to being positive ALL the time finding the good in everything and having gratitude … even for Banks and Governments that don’t seem to have a clue we would probably be lost with out them.
Great reminder
Thanks Coralie!
Love this Jo, oh so true just surrender and let go of what we cannot control, what freedom! xxx
Thank you Trish – we over complicate things so much don’t we? It makes no sense to try and control things we have no control over yet so often that’s what we end up doing.
Surrender!
funny post
– i dont ever watch the news any more… live in this little bubble of loveliness… which does tend to make me a little naive at times!!
it’s funny… i do – do – woo woo – (lol) – and besides focusing on what you don’t want making you feel crappy… it’s a fantastic way to attract a constant stream of shit in to your life!
Oh I definitely hear you on the news front Kat! The little bubble of loveliness is awesome and it does us no harm whatsoever!