Letting go, and letting God...

   Over the course of my life, I have discovered many, beneficial, ways to permit myself a more peaceful, and, peace-filled existence. One such awareness, which allows for me a more balanced life, is the realization that I have, virtually, no control over anything, other than my thoughts, words, and, deeds. For many years, when my life was, considerably, more, challenging, I, frequently, made my situation, worse, without knowing, by my need to attempt to affect change in others. Instead of looking inward, to become the best I could be, I expected external change to rescue me from my plight. 'If only he/she would/could be different, than my life would be better.' Sound familiar? We are the master's of our own happiness, in this life. Sure, it would be great if everyone, within our social-constructs, behaved in ways that pleased us; but, hey...that ain't how things work! We need understand that our control, or, need for it, where other people in our lives, are concerned, is nothing more than our own inability to control our own lives; a sort of 'grasping at straws', in our search for such. When we can come to this place of acknowledgement, awareness, and, acceptance, which is that we can only change ourselves, and, our situation(s), and, let go of the need to try doing that for others in our lives, we can be free from frets that are not ours to bear. This is not to say that we ought not be there for our family and friends, in need; and, of course, as parents, we are ALWAYS there; yet, once our children are grown, this same philosophy applies. When we can offer our support and love to those we care for, that is a wonderful gift; However, a person's ultimate, gift to him or her self, is the acceptance in knowing that, our first responsibility is to ourselves, insofar as seeking happiness is concerned. Others in our lives can be the 'icing', but, we must be the cake; and, baking this tasty, tid-bit, which is 'me', is, always, a 'work in progress'. Just Sayin'...