No matter what happens in life, we are always given only two choices: either to change the circumstances or change ourselves. If, after doing everything possible in your power to change a situation, you see that it is simply out of your control, your only option is to change yourself- your thoughts, feelings, actions and reactions to an event- and that is probably the single most difficult yet essential practice in life. No one else can can make that change except for yourself. Self-pitying, wallowing in misery, thinking negative thoughts…these do nothing but reinforce the lack of control you are unnecessarily giving yourself. As human beings, we all inherently possess strength and fortitude, and we deserve more credit than we oftentimes give ourselves.

Strength
As I’ve mentioned various times in previous posts, it is vital to accept that we are all human beings and any emotion we feel is always valid and should be acknowledged and embraced. But after a certain point, we always come back to the same two choices. We may not have much control over others or inevitable events in our lives, but we always have the option to try our best and then adjust our expectations and perception. Whether we remain upset over past happenings or worry about future situations that may never even occur, whatever happens will happen either way. All we can do hold on to the strength and resilience within ourselves as we find contentment and solace in the fact that we are not defined by the hand we are dealt, but by how we play that hand and work together and remember to take light in knowing it is all temporary.