One Apple A Day #177
Reflections on the 12 questions series.
Question #02: Is This In My Control?
Today’s question is a crucial one to ask yourself.
There are a lot of things we can’t control in our life. Much of what happens outside our head is not under our control. Not completely at least. Though, we spend a lot of energy trying to control outside events and circumstances. We get angry and frustrated when things are not going as we expect and desire.
We use so little of our energy to focus on the only things we can control, our reactions to circumstances.
If we focus our attention on the world out there, in the circumstances that surround us, we are giving away our freedom. Sooner or later we will become a victim, in our obsession to control the world we are giving away to the world all our power.
“Everything can be taken from a man but one thing: the last of the human freedoms—to choose one’s attitude in any given set of circumstances, to choose one’s own way.”
Viktor Frankl learned in his terrible experience inside a concentration camp that everything can be taken from a man. Including the control on his or her own life and existence. But there is one thing that can not be taken from a man; his attitude, his response to the circumstances.
Being aware of this can change us from victims to leaders of our lives. If you use your energy to choose your reactions instead of trying to control the circumstances, then you will regain control and freedom.
“When we are no longer able to change a situation, we are challenged to change ourselves.”
Any time you face a difficult situation ask yourself “Is there something I can do to change this situation?”.
If yes, do it straight away.
If not, turn your attention to the one thing you can control; yourself.