November 21, 2023

Please leave a comment:

There are few forces as remarkable as those found in nature. A gentle breeze can amplify the beauty of a warm spring day just as a gust of frosty air can bite your cheeks and make you long for a heavier coat and warm gloves.

If I'm honest, I've spent too much of my life thinking I could control the wind. Not literally, of course, but I believed that certain storms would never strike in my hemisphere and that I could dictate the direction of life's unpredictable currents.

Seeking control over that which isn't within our control is an exercise in futility; it's the origin of our various shades of anxiety, sadness, and depression. The wind, the rain, and the storms in our lives, will do what they want. Forces that are just as strong: our children, family, coworkers, supervisors, politicians and the powerful nations of the world—will also do the unthinkable and will continue to cause turbulence in our lives.

This is just a reminder—as we need them from time-to-time. We have things in our lives that we can control—and yet, so many more that we can't. If you are feeling slightly out of balance (I know I am), it might be time to adjust our sails. Here are just a few ways to use our internal compass to recalibrate:

• Take time over the holidays for an emotional vacation. Step away from the fanfare and drama that the holidays create and do something relaxing for yourself.

• Make a list of what you have control over and create a plan to execute your control.

• Identify forces at work that may be unnoticed. Those who steal your time, your energy and your fire often work in camouflaged conditions; you don't see them coming.

• Talk to a loved one or therapist about the resistance you're feeling. It often helps to say it out loud and listen to your frustrations in your own voice. You might discover they're deeper than you think.

• Make yourself the most important priority in the moments that allow it.

By identifying and honing our influence over certain aspects of our lives, we gain a sense of empowerment. Our attitudes, actions, and reactions are all sails we can adjust to steer through life's challenges. Moreover, remember that life doesn't begin when we reach a destination. Our journey is part of what makes life beautiful and weathering our storms are the sweetest destinations.

Previous Post

Next Post