What can you just not change?
The Practice
Accept the limits of your influence.
Why?
The practice in last week’s JOT was to exercise the influence you do have: to do what you can.
Of course, it’s also true that each one of us is very limited in what we can do or change. You can’t change the past, or even this present moment. Looking to the future – the only thing you can actually affect – you have little influence over other people, including their thoughts, actions, or suffering. And even less influence over the economy, government policies, or international affairs. Things happen due to causes-and of the ten thousand causes upstream of this moment, most of them are out of your control.
You don’t have the power to make something happen if the prerequisites aren’t present. For example, you can’t grow roses without good soil and water.
If you’ve been pounding your head against a wall for a while, it’s time to stop, accept the way it is, and move on. As I sometimes tell myself: Don’t try to grow roses in a parking lot.
How?
In general, when faced with some fact you can’t change – like you’re stuck in traffic, or you feel sad, or your young daughter has just poured milk on the floor (speaking of some of my own experiences) -ask yourself, Can I accept that this is the way it is, whether I like it or not?
Understand that acceptance does not mean approval,acquiescence, overlooking, or forgiveness. You are simply facing the facts, including the fact of your limitedinfluence.
Notice the good feelings that come with acceptance,even if there are also painful feelings about various facts. Notice that acceptance usually brings you more resources for dealing with life’s difficulties.
If you cannot accept a fact – that it exists, that it hashappened, whatever your preferences may be – then see if you can accept the fact that you cannot accept the fact!
More specifically, consider these reflections:
Review a life event that has troubled you. See if you can accept it as something that happened, like it or not – and as truly just a part of a much larger and probably mainly positive whole.
Consider an aspect of your body or personalitythat you don’t like. Tell the truth to yourselfabout the extent to which you can change it and make a clear choice as to what you will actually do. Then see if you can accept whatever remains as just the way it is – and as only a small part of the much larger and generally positive whole that is you.
Bring to mind a key person in your life. Havethere been any ways that you’ve been trying toaffect or change this person that are just notworking? What limits to your influence here doyou need to accept?
Consider something you’ve wanted to happen but been frustrated about – perhaps a careershift, or a certain school working out for yourchild, or a sale to a new customer. Are the neces¬sary supporting conditions truly present? If they are, then maybe stick with it and be patient. But if they are not present – if you’re trying to grow roses in a parking lot – consider shifting your hopes and efforts in another direction.
Daily Inspiration for living your Ultimate Life!
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