Roller Coasters

Until recently I was never much of a fan of roller coasters. Most of my friends love them and my wife loves them but they were just never my thing. I like to be in control and when I strapped myself into a roller coaster I gave up control. Fortunately, I have learned in recent years to love them. It makes traveling to amusement parks with family and friends much less stressful. 

While you may absolutely love roller coasters (or maybe you don't), you probably struggle with control and the loss thereof. Most of us tend to want to control things that we really have no power over. When we find that we cannot control it we become angry or stressed. It is at this point that some people turn to substances or unhealthy attitudes and behaviors.  

Alcoholics Anonymous has a prayer they recite at the end of their sessions: "God grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change, the courage to change the things I can, and the wisdom to know the difference." Probably wouldn't be a bad idea for all of us to recite that prayer each day. 

What can I change or control? Me. I am the captain of my body and my soul. I choose whether I put in submission to God or substances or other things. I make choices to fill my body and soul with good things or bad. "God, give me the courage to change the things I can."  

What can I not control? Other people and things that happen around me that I did not cause. I cannot control the choices others make but I can choose how to respond. I can respond with forgiveness or bitterness. I can choose to respond with love or hate. 

While I cannot control others, I can influence them. There are ways to encourage people and help people. But I must consider whether I am trying to exert power over people or influence them. Life is much less stressful when we realize that we cannot control people and their choices. If I could make them drink, I could make them sober. If you could make them NOT like you then you could make them like you. "Grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change"

Life is a roller coaster. Some things I control and some things I don't. Many of the twists and turns that life throws at me and the choices others make are out of my control. However, the way I feel about them and the subsequent choices I make ARE in my control. 

"God, grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change, the courage to change the things I can and the wisdom to know the difference."

Ben

Photo by Chris de Tempe https://unsplash.com/@cdetempe