Practicing Zenatude® over the last several years, one thing I’ve gotten good at is not getting upset or overwhelmed by situations I can’t control.
Instead of letting them slow me down or become a distraction, I either fix them in the moment or mindfully set them aside and move on to other priorities.
What helped me get started was a simple journaling practice.
Back in 2021, I wrote the same sentence every day for an entire year:
“I will let go of what I can’t control.”
It seemed menial at the time, but after several weeks, I could feel it working.
The other night, I received a package from my supplier that included a T-shirt a customer had ordered. When I opened the box, I was horrified to discover the shirt was the wrong color. I quickly sent an email and moved on.
The next morning, that mishap immediately came to mind. My first instinct was to jump in and take care of it, but then I reminded myself that my morning journaling and writing routine was more important. Waiting another hour or two wasn’t going to make a difference because the company wasn’t even open yet.
One thing we all have control over is our thoughts, actions, and ultimately, our
response to a situation.
Life can get messy. It can affect our mood and cause us to react in ways we later regret. But we don’t have to let the messiness disrupt our peace of mind.
If this is something you—or someone you know—struggles with, I encourage you to try writing this one simple sentence each morning:
“I will let go of what I can’t control.”
It certainly helped me, and hopefully it can help someone else too.
In a lousy situation, one thing you always have control over is how you respond.
Have a Zenatudinal Day!