Mindful Monday: Taking Control

Happy New Year! Happy 2021! With new years often comes new beginnings, the turning of a page. While we would like to think of it as a fresh start, our old ways often follow. 

As humans, we are quick to point out the flaws of others, to judge, to criticize, and critique. It's easy to complain about situations we find ourselves in and second guess other's decisions. It can even feel cathartic to vent. And having just ended 2020, a year that we hope only happens once in a lifetime, it is absolutely understandable to feel like we have little control of things that are happening and simply want to complain about it all! 

However, I would argue that despite how things might seem and feel at times, we have control over more than we think. 

They say, "If you can't change your reality, change your perspective." Life is a series of choices. It is all in how we choose to see things. 

“God, grant me the serenity to accept the people I cannot change, the courage to change the one I can, and the wisdom to know—it's me!" - John Miller (QBQ: The Question Behind the Question)

While we might not be able to make our spouses do (fill in the blank), our kids behave a certain way; we can't control how many people are in line at Starbucks the morning we are running late, and we can't make traffic magically disappear. We can change our perspective. 

At the end of the day, it is absolutely true that there is a lot that is simply not in our control. The only thing you have control over is yourself. But don't sell yourself short!  Your influence is powerful. Change what you can and be at peace knowing that you can't control it all. 

I know I have told my personal child on more than one occasion "to be incharge of yourself". Perhaps it's time that I start listening to my own advice. In a year that we have felt in less control than ever, remember that you are in control of your life. You have control over how you talk to yourself, the grace you grant yourself and making yourself a priority. 

Here's to a 2021 where you take control!