Control What You Can Control

Have you ever felt Paralyzed?

Do you ever fell like curling up in the fetal position with the covers over your head and hiding from everything? Boy I do! Sometimes it seems there are so many decisions to be made. So many consequences of decisions already made. So many decisions I never thought I would be making in my life. I would give anything to just be left alone!
So what can I do to stop the paralysis? I cannot control everything, as much as I hate to admit that. I cannot control the outcome of every situation. What can I do to gain some footing?
First, I pray. Then I get busy. I worked retail for years (and years and years). There was a saying I learned in management. Control your controllables. So when  I start to feel overwhelmed to the point of not being able to breathe (and yes, that happens!), I make a list of everything that is weighing on me and ask "what can I control?". Sometimes there are several things I can control. Sometimes it is just one thing. But one thing is enough to pull me up out of the fetal position.
If you find yourself so overwhelmed that you cannot even think straight, try my list idea. Decide what you can control and take pride in doing it well! Participation is a key ingredient!
I can control whether I pick my children up from school on time. I cannot control whether they had a good or bad day, but I can control whether I am a part of it or not.
I can control whether I ask my husband about his day. I cannot control whether it went well, but I can control whether I am there to listen. (ok, sometimes I am in control of whether his day went well or not...)
I can control whether I call my clients back. I may not have the answer they wanted, but I can control that what I can offer is the best I have to offer.
These are a few of the controllables I can control.
This is what keeps me sane in a (at times) very insane life!
Here's to standing tall in a world that can make you want to curl up and hide!

Enjoy!
Nancy