Us Americans have been spoiled; spoiled rotten. We are used to having a certain sense of control in a national, state, county, town, community, and personal level. Or, more accurately, a false sense of control. Now I do not mean this as a governmental commentary, but rather a psychological one because realistically no one, not even governmental laws, can control circumstance. The only thing people can control is their reactions.
Am I saying that the secret to life is to become a doormat to the events in life and let circumstance determine the outcome of my life? Certainly not. When unfortunate events happen it is crucial to either find it’s redeemable circumstances or find a way to change it. Worrying and complaining does nothing to change circumstance, all it does is put you in a mood that increases the difficulty of seeking a resolution.
The secret, I have found, is to accept that it is only in how you handle your circumstances that you can gain control of life. Unexpected events are guaranteed in life, and they cannot be planned around. The only advice I can offer you is to keep your head in the game when things don’t go your way, and either smile for its redeemable parts and find a way to change the unbearable.
Similarly stated by a well quoted poem:
“God, grant us the...
Serenity to accept things we cannot change,
Courage to change the things we can, and the
Wisdom to know the difference
Patience for the things that take time,
Appreciation for all that we have, and
Tolerance for those with different struggles
Freedom to live beyond the limitations of our past ways, the
Ability to feel your love for us and our love for each other, and the
Strength to get up and try again even when we feel it is hopeless.”
This is my secret. This is why I smile.
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