Accepting The Things You Cannot Change

“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.”

When is the last time you laid awake thinking about all of the things in your life that are out of your control?  Have you thought about the reason why? Why do we spend some much time dwelling over things we do not have the power to change?  After all, don’t we all have enough to worry about already?

The truth is we worry about the things that are out of our control because we do not accept the fact that they are out of our control. No one likes feeling like they do not make their own destiny, especially when that destiny is not one of our choosing. The good news is that there are things you can do to stop the sleepless worry-filled nights.

First of all, acknowledge that some things cannot be changed. There is so much in life that can not be changed and even if they could, likely not by you. Think about all the tragic and powerful events that have transpired throughout history and even today.  You can lay awake worrying about them, but the worry makes you more powerless. The best change comes about when you can acknowledge that some things cannot be changed.

Second, accept things the way they are, even if they’re not what you want. This is not a blanketed statement, this is very specific to situations, for example, the death of a loved one, that you cannot change or have control over. The second step after the acknowledgment is acceptance. It’s often a harsh reality to face.

Make the best of the situation. The best you can do at any given time is the best that you can do. Do your best to remedy the situation. If you are missing a loved one who has departed this world, replace that angry feeling of unacceptance and misery with love and happiness while pondering and being thankful for the time you did have. Whatever the situation may be, work hard to let go and come to a more peaceful place.

But do not dwell. There’s a point in any situation where it’s time to stop dwelling, let go and move on to brighter times. Dwelling on anything too much isn’t good for the spirit. In fact, it’s agonizing. You must make the conscious decision to stop dwelling and that, of course, is much easier once you acknowledge and accept.

And be thankful that the challenges in your life play a big part in making you who you are. Gratitude, as we have said many times before throughout this blog, is a powerful tool to be embraced. It is the healer of all healers. When you come to a place where you can be thankful in some way about the things you hate the most, you have taken back the control. It’s a beautiful place to be.

It is important to distinguish between the things that can be changed and the things that cannot sometimes. If you are dwelling on a situation, perhaps it’s because your gut is telling you that you need a change. However, for circumstances that cannot be changed, such as death or divorce, or life events such as tornados and floods, etc., finding a place of acceptance and letting go is essential. Comment below and let us know if this article was helpful to you! We wish you peace and love.

Articles of Interest: Letting Go of The Past: How We Can Let Go

How Forgiveness Can Change Your Life and Make You a Stronger Person

©Love Wide Open