Stop stressing!
Epictetus wrote, "Make the best use of what is in your power, and take the rest as it happens." What does that mean? We're at the mercy of the world? We have no control over our lives? Absolutely not! You have a whole lot more power over your lives than many of you are aware! The power is within your mind.
This quote is quite similar to the Serenity Prayer. The abbreviated version is:
God grant me the serenity
to accept the things I cannot change;
courage to change the things I can;
and wisdom to know the difference.
Pretty straightforward. How much time do you waste worrying and stressing about things over which you truly have NO control like the traffic on the road or the line at the grocery store?
We all do it. Freak out over the traffic that is causing us to be late. Is it the traffic that is really causing you to be late? What if you just left a few minutes earlier every day? THAT is within your control. Then, if you miss the light because of some pokey guy in front of you, it is not a big deal!
Or, how about the line at the grocery store? You get frustrated because all the other lines are moving faster or because the lady at the counter is searching her purse for 3 pennies, or because someone bought something that doesn't have a tag. Don't they know you're in a hurry!!??!!!! You have things to do! The world is going to end in one hour, and you've got to make it home to see Oprah one last time! Seriously though, do you spend way too much time creating stress for yourself over stuff that really just doesn't matter? Why?
Or, how about this scenario. Your family refuses to take off their shoes on the rug in the entry. So instead, they track wet dirt and snow all the way to the closet where they may, or may not, actually put their shoes in the cubbies you bought for that sole purpose. Pun intended.
Is it REALLY a big deal if they get dirt all over the floor? Perhaps you should be grateful that you have people at home to make a mess! Now, that is a true example of finding that very obscure silver lining. 
Find a solution to the dirt problem such as having those mess makers clean up the dirt each day themselves. Problem solved. (I know. This one IS a stretch. But, it isn't worth the health problems you are creating for yourself by stressing out about the dirt.)
Today, every time you find yourself stressed or upset or annoyed, stop to think WHY you're feeling that way and determine if you have any control at all over the situation. Usually, if nothing else, YOU HAVE CONTROL OVER YOUR REACTION to the situation.
We can't control what is happening in Haiti. We can't control what the government does with our tax money. We can't control how fast the cook in the restaurant prepares our order. What we CAN do is donate money, write letters to our representatives, and complain to the manager. And, LET IT GO. Don't obsess and read every word about the disaster. Don't continually argue with anyone and everyone about politics. Don't create havoc and embarrass your family and friends with your tirade to the server about the cook's incompetence. It is not worth the stress YOU are creating for yourself and others.
And, if you have children, remember they are watching your every move and listening to every word you say - even the teenagers! Set the example. You DO have more control than you think. And, when you don't, just let it go!
Remember, we are what we think about!
This quote is quite similar to the Serenity Prayer. The abbreviated version is:
to accept the things I cannot change;
courage to change the things I can;
and wisdom to know the difference.
Pretty straightforward. How much time do you waste worrying and stressing about things over which you truly have NO control like the traffic on the road or the line at the grocery store?
We all do it. Freak out over the traffic that is causing us to be late. Is it the traffic that is really causing you to be late? What if you just left a few minutes earlier every day? THAT is within your control. Then, if you miss the light because of some pokey guy in front of you, it is not a big deal!
Or, how about the line at the grocery store? You get frustrated because all the other lines are moving faster or because the lady at the counter is searching her purse for 3 pennies, or because someone bought something that doesn't have a tag. Don't they know you're in a hurry!!??!!!! You have things to do! The world is going to end in one hour, and you've got to make it home to see Oprah one last time! Seriously though, do you spend way too much time creating stress for yourself over stuff that really just doesn't matter? Why?
Or, how about this scenario. Your family refuses to take off their shoes on the rug in the entry. So instead, they track wet dirt and snow all the way to the closet where they may, or may not, actually put their shoes in the cubbies you bought for that sole purpose. Pun intended.
Is it REALLY a big deal if they get dirt all over the floor? Perhaps you should be grateful that you have people at home to make a mess! Now, that is a true example of finding that very obscure silver lining. Find a solution to the dirt problem such as having those mess makers clean up the dirt each day themselves. Problem solved. (I know. This one IS a stretch. But, it isn't worth the health problems you are creating for yourself by stressing out about the dirt.)Today, every time you find yourself stressed or upset or annoyed, stop to think WHY you're feeling that way and determine if you have any control at all over the situation. Usually, if nothing else, YOU HAVE CONTROL OVER YOUR REACTION to the situation.
We can't control what is happening in Haiti. We can't control what the government does with our tax money. We can't control how fast the cook in the restaurant prepares our order. What we CAN do is donate money, write letters to our representatives, and complain to the manager. And, LET IT GO. Don't obsess and read every word about the disaster. Don't continually argue with anyone and everyone about politics. Don't create havoc and embarrass your family and friends with your tirade to the server about the cook's incompetence. It is not worth the stress YOU are creating for yourself and others.
And, if you have children, remember they are watching your every move and listening to every word you say - even the teenagers! Set the example. You DO have more control than you think. And, when you don't, just let it go!
Remember, we are what we think about!
Posted by CHANIN at 1/19/2010 11:33 AM 
Categories: Positive Thinking Lessons
Tags: stress power stressing power of the mind stressed worrying positive thinking
Categories: Positive Thinking Lessons
Tags: stress power stressing power of the mind stressed worrying positive thinking
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