Understanding Control

I just need to know what's going to happen.

You don't get to know what's going to happen.

I don't want them to think I'm a bad person.

You can't control what they think.

I want to have input about this decision for our future.

You don't get input into this decision.

I just need them to accept that this is what I want.

You can't make them accept it.

 

Learning what we can control and what we can't control is important. Although it seems simple enough on the surface, it's not easy.

Once I figure it out in one situation or one season of life, it sneaks up on me again. 

The feeling of frustration is the clue. It's the symptom of a problem.

Whenever that feeling is present, I usually find I'm trying to control something that I can't.

There's good news too!

If I'm trying to control something I can't, there is usually something being missed that I can control. When I discover what I can control, and put my energy there, frustration diminishes.

Hint: I generally find what I can control when I look in the mirror.