Are you in Control?

I don’t know about you but it’s in my nature to want to be in control.

I want to control my environment, …

As you may already know, I rented my place out for 6 months to go House & Pet Sitting.

I had a certain picture in my mind, and with expectations raised by the agent I expected to see things the way I left it.

Except what I found was crumbs on the kitchen rail, the microwave was greasy, it was dusty, not a lot of shelves wiped, butchering my hedges, and probably the most upsetting spraying my organic garden weed killer.

There are certainly a few lessons in there for the renting process.

Yes, I’m justified in being upset, but I can’t change the past. But I can choose how I respond to it. Including giving myself time to feel, get out the anger and frustration. Notice that “old” stuff was triggered, and use it as an opportunity to let that move through too.

The thing is control is an illusion that we often cling to so we can control our circumstances and environment, yet life has a way of reminding us that some things are simply beyond our grasp.

Attempting to maintain absolute control is a futile effort that can breed unnecessary stress and inner conflict when realities inevitably diverge from our preferences.

Reminders of the illusion of control give us the opportunity to build our inner power. Here’s how:

It fosters acceptance of life’s inherent uncertainties, reducing resistance to circumstances we cannot dictate. This cultivates composure instead of anxiety.

By releasing attachment to outcomes and focusing on personal growth regardless of conditions, one’s sense of well-being depends less on situational control and more on inner strength and resilience.

Conserving mental/emotional energy spent on vain attempts to dominate externals, one has more resources to channel into self-development and pursuing meaningful actions/relationships.

Understanding reality’s fluid nature encourages viewing challenges as opportunities rather than threats, building confidence in one’s capacity to adapt successfully.

Responsibility shifts from trying to commandeer outcomes to diligently applying one’s capabilities in a self-determined life path despite uncontrollable variances.

Accepting impermanence and flow cultivates inner fortitude to weather life circumstances outside one’s control with poise, grace and presence of mind.