I drove from Oklahoma to South Dakota yesterday. A third of the way into the trip, I started seeing snow along the side of the road. Discouragement and and negativity began to set in. You see, I don't like the cold. I like snow or at least I used to, but not the ice, freezing temperatures, winds and mess that seem to accompany it. It wasn't long until all I could see was white. I had all this negative stuff rolling around my head; how glad I was I didn't live up north anymore; how miserable winter is; how I used to love the fall, but since it ushers in winter, I've been whiny even as fall approaches; I love the summer and I seem to like spring a lot more than in years past.
Then I had an epiphany... I can't control the weather. I can't control the seasons. If I can't control or change these things then I need to adapt and change my attitude regarding them. So many people, including myself live in chronic stress because we fret about things we cannot change. The Serenity Prayer says it well. "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" -Reinhold Niebuhr
It became apparent to me that I had some serious adjustments to make. And so it began on I-29 somewhere in Iowa or maybe Missouri that I accepted the seasons as they are. I made a conscious decision to work on the negative aspect of my life that affect things I cannot change. I committed to myself and I am committing to you (so hold me accountable) that I will practice catching myself when negative weather or season related thoughts or words come from me.
Day 18
Is there an area in your life that you cannot change, but constantly fret or stress over or maybe just expend too much negative energy thinking about it? Search your heart and commit to accept that which you cannot change. Find peace in accepting and letting go of things that bog you down in life. Write down 18 things you are grateful for.
~Gratitude is an art of painting an adversity into a lovely picture. Kak Sri ~
~Grateful for the opportunity for continued growth and change in my life~
Denise
