Stop Giving Control to Circumstances

We give control to circumstances when we allow them to dictate what we will do, what we believe we can do, or what we are willing to do.

Circumstances are just one more ingredient in the full truth. The more you understand your unique design, the more you will be able to handle the different dashes of ingredients.

#QuoteoftheDay

Circumstances are not in control of your life
so stop giving it to them.
– Kathryn Lang

Dealing with Changing Ingredients

My husband volunteered us to bring a dish to church. He also took the car for the day. I had to make a plan with what I had. I took an inventory of the ingredients and then began preparing the dish.

Most cooks will tell you that you always measure in a separate container before you mix it into the pot where you are cooking. There is a reason. I know it, but I still forgot. In my rush to prepare the dish for church, I tilted the jar of diced garlic over the pot, and about a quarter cup dropped in (instead of the tablespoon I had expected).

“Well, that’s not good.”

It was made worse by the fact that I couldn’t start over. I had to make due or just not take a dish.

I let it simmer for a bit while I contemplated my choices.  A re-evaluation of the ingredients available gave me a plan of attack. I added a few more flavors and several more ingredients to balance out the excessive amount of garlic I had dumped in.

In the end, I had a decent dish – and PLENTY of it.

My circumstances were not what I wanted, and yes, they were the result of my own choices, but I refused to let those circumstances determine the outcome.

Commitment to Change

I made a commitment to get up each morning and take time in the morning sun to stretch and move. That worked, until the second day when the clouds covered the sun and made my plan impossible.

I couldn’t do what I had planned to do. But the reason I had planned to do it in the first place was to improve my health and build a better habit for my life.

Clouds didn’t stop me from doing that, did they?

I could have let them.

I could have said, “I can’t do what I committed to do because the circumstances prevent me from doing it.”

Instead, I chose to do something different. I made a commitment to utilize that choice, that option, when my first choice wasn’t available because of circumstances.

I had to make a commitment to my better, to my change, and then I had to be so determined to fulfill those changes that no change in circumstances could alter my intention.

That’s really what it comes down to. I have to be so focused in my direction that I won’t let circumstances alter that focus.

It’s always my choice, no matter how it may look or feel. Ultimately, circumstances aren’t in control unless I choose to give them control (and not making the choice is a choice by default).

Taking Control

I stood in the rubble of our life . . .

I stood in the rubble of my business . . .

I stood in the rubble of the day . . .

Whatever, whenever, however, it’s all circumstances that we have to face down and then make a decision about what next.

It’s easiest to give in and allow the circumstances to drive. When we give in to the circumstances then we can convince others (and ourselves) that we are not responsible.

If we want to live in purpose and on purpose, then we have to take responsibility so that we can take control.

Pivot.

Turn from where you were headed. Learn from the circumstances and the choices that created the circumstances so that you can take one more step forward.

Adjust.

Lean into the circumstances, or lean around the circumstances, or lean on the circumstances. Make the most of the circumstances you are facing.

Be flexible.

It isn’t what you thought or what you planned or maybe even what you wanted, but it is. And now you have to do what you can, where you are, with what you have. Be okay with a little different.

When you take control of your journey, no matter what comes up or what changes, then you will be able to tell circumstances to take a hike.

It’s your choice. Choose to overcome circumstances with intentional actions.

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Have you ever given circumstances control of your life?