“Life is like a box of chocolates, you never know what you are going to get,” is a quote from one of my favourite films, Forrest Gump.
Those words are absolutely true, that despite our best efforts to predict outcomes, we have no idea how our lives will unfold. More often than not, things never go as planned.
“The only thing you have control over is yourself,” a very wise man told me while blessing me by the Ganges River in India. I have carried those words with me since that life-altering experience. (will tell you more…but first..)
We spend our days holding onto situations that we cannot control as much as we would like to, and then we get upset or stressed when things do not go our way. It has taken me years to learn that I may not be able to control life, but I have control over how I approach each situation and more importantly, how I accept it.
I believe everything should be looked at as a lesson, good, bad or indifferent. We need to learn from each lesson so we know how to deal with life, the next time we are faced with similar challenges. (just saying).
Hear me out, achieving this mindset took me a while, it was a work in progress, trust me, it will happen for you over time and with some work (if you want to). Just remember, a positive and open frame of mind is the best way to handle things, when life throws them at you, (just don’t duck).
Using this approach has helped me quite a bit in my journey. You know humans can be a daily test of will and have to be handled with grace, and the strength of God, so don’t be drawn out or allow a situation to make you act and or speak out of character, (woo sah).
You control you, no one else.
Going back to my life-altering experience in India, it was a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to travel there a few years ago. My time in India, significantly influenced how I view and handle various aspects of my life.
Can I tell you, something as simple as finding out the rice I only eat, (which I was told is best for absorption and digestion) came from India, Basmati, imagine my surprise (big grin).
My trip to the Ganges River really changed how I see life. Even though people can still throw me off balance sometimes, I’ve learned not to hold onto those feelings. Instead, I try to tackle each situation, handle it, and then let it go.
Remember how I mentioned my favorite saying? “The only thing you can control is yourself.” This has become a part of my daily routine, and it helps me to, as my mom puts it, “walk through the raindrops,” which I strive to do every day, (work in progress here).
I really believe that life is what you make of it, as best as you can. When things start to feel a bit tense, I’ve realised that just putting on a smile, releases endorphins (which I do feel releasing) and help me tackle the situation with a positive attitude ( I really start to feel better as I smile, try it).
It might not always go exactly how I want, but approaching it with a feel better mindset really helps (smile, its free).
Just my two Nicklecents…