Faith and The Things You Can Control

Well, it certainly has been an interesting November so far. I’m rather flabbergasted and just don’t know what to say so I think it’s best just to say nothing and wait until all this strangeness plays out. In the meantime, reviving a flagging spirit through prayer and meditation is probably the best course of action at this point.

Years ago, long before the internet, time management was all the rage just like all those Planners you see every September. YouTube is loaded with “Plan with Me” videos; lots of stickers, fancy pens, and artistic expressions. But in those early days, there wasn’t any of that available. Franklin Covey was a leader in this endeavor. I remember obtaining a cassette tape (remember those?) with a time management lecture being given by the then CEO of Franklin planners. The one thing he said has stuck with me over the last 30 years or so because it proved to be words of wisdom.

“Imagine you are in the center of a room”, he said. “On the left is a wall that represents everything you cannot control. On the right is a wall that represents everything you can control. Your job here is to focus on what you can control and accept that there are a lot of things you can’t control. Plan accordingly”.

Since we all understand that we are in the midst of a Twilight Zone episode with much we cannot control, we might as well focus on what we can control, namely our thoughts, our choices, and our actions. When life gets overwhelming I just do what’s in front of me because that’s what I can control. I wash the dishes, do the laundry, make the bed, feed the cat because those small routines remind me to be present right here, right now.

Yes, you can wring your hands and worry over the state of things. This chaos hovers over our heads and in the back of our minds like an evil shadow. But this quote may offer some comfort:

26 Look at the birds of the air: they neither sow nor reap nor gather into barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not of more value than they? 27 And which of you by being anxious can add a single hour to his span of life?[a] 28 And why are you anxious about clothing? Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow: they neither toil nor spin, 29 yet I tell you, even Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these…33 But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you. (Matthew 6:26-29,33)

Wise words in tough times.

Last night, amidst the ever-growing crazy political upheaval and intrigue, I clicked on a short video on YouTube of what happened to the Austrian-Hungarian empire of the Hapsburgs toward the final days of World War One. The once-powerful dynasty began to crumble, separate, and reassemble itself into smaller independent countries: Poland, Czechoslovakia, Romania, Yugoslavia, and other countries. Can you imagine just what those ordinary people faced with ever-shifting boundaries? One day your village is in one country and a week later you are suddenly in another one altogether. Our ancestors faced many challenges just like this everywhere and at different times.

Things change constantly. As members of the human race, we’ve been through all this before in other times and other places under similar circumstances. War, pestilence, poverty, famine, revolution, invasions, and all kinds of shenanigans. That is why it is more important to focus ultimately on the state of your soul, your relationship to the Divine, and cultivating peace of mind through faith and mindfulness.

We will get through this, just as our ancestors did. We may be a bit tattered at the edges, disappointed, disgusted even, but stronger, hopefully, wiser, and more attuned to the Divine in faith, hope, and love.

Whatever the outcome, take care of yourself and those you love and are important to you. Focus on what’s in front of you and leave the rest to its unfoldment.

 

 

There are 30 comments on this post

  1. erotik
    16 hours ago

    A big thank you for your article post. Really looking forward to read more. Fantastic. Debera Stanton Iden

    Reply
  2. erotik izle
    11 hours ago

    Good day! I just want to offer you a big thumbs up for the great information you have here on this post. I am returning to your site for more soon. Gipsy Mike Boleyn

    Reply
  3. erotik
    3 hours ago

    If you want to use the photo it would also be good to check with the artist beforehand in case it is subject to copyright. Best wishes. Aaren Reggis Sela

    Reply
    1. Deborah Fraser Author
      18 hours ago

      Is this your photo, Aaren? I could not locate the artist. If you know who they are please let me know. Thank you!

      Reply
  4. erotik izle
    9 hours ago

    I genuinely enjoy studying on this website, it has great articles. “Beware lest in your anxiety to avoid war you obtain a master.” by Demosthenes. Gabrielle Ricard Cupo

    Reply
  5. sikis izle
    18 hours ago

    At this time I amm going to do my breakfast, once having my breakfast coming again to read additional news. Mufinella Herve Ariadne

    Reply
  6. sikis izle
    12 hours ago

    Hi there very cool blog!! Guy .. Excellent .. Amazing .. Nessie Tyrone Iverson

    Reply
  7. erotik izle
    3 hours ago

    If you want to increase your knowledge only keep visiting this site and be updated with the latest information posted here. Barby Franzen Hyacinthe

    Reply
  8. erotik
    5 hours ago

    I believe you have mentioned some very interesting details, regards for the post. Audie Davis Krauss

    Reply
  9. sikis izle
    15 hours ago

    May I simply just say what a relief to discover somebody that actually understands what they are talking about online. Kamilah Wood Langan

    Reply
  10. sikis izle
    6 hours ago

    Some truly nice and useful info on this web site, likewise I conceive the design contains wonderful features. Bernita Myca Magas

    Reply
  11. sikis izle
    37 mins ago

    There is certainly a lot to find out about this subject. I like all the points you have made. Lindsy Geno Farrar

    Reply
  12. porno
    5 hours ago

    I visited various websites however the audio feature for audio songs current at this web page is actually excellent. Veradis Barr Missi

    Reply
  13. porno
    8 hours ago

    Hello friends, good post and good arguments commented here, I am in fact enjoying by these. Anita Aron Boony

    Reply
  14. sikis izle
    14 hours ago

    Well I definitely enjoyed reading it. This post procured by you is very useful for correct planning. Magda Valentijn Niccolo

    Reply
  15. erotik
    17 hours ago

    Hi friends, its fantastic paragraph about teachingand fully defined, keep it up all the time. Shelly Asher Reilly

    Reply
  16. parasite
    4 hours ago

    Hi there, its good article about media print, we all know media is a fantastic source of information. Salome Jedediah Nelia

    Reply
  17. online izle
    15 hours ago

    I really liked your blog post.Thanks Again. Great. Jayson Zentgraf

    Reply
  18. online izle
    10 hours ago

    Enjoyed every bit of your blog article. Much obliged. Dwight Cinkosky

    Reply
  19. izle
    9 hours ago

    Thanks again for the blog post.Thanks Again. Keep writing. Jimmie Feltz

    Reply
  20. izle
    6 hours ago

    Wow, incredible blog layout! How long have you been blogging for? you make blogging look easy. The overall look of your web site is fantastic, let alone the content! Danita Weglin

    Reply
  21. maseczki na twarz
    2 hours ago

    Way cool! Some extremely valid points! I appreciate you writing this write-up and the rest of the site is also very good.

    Reply
  22. maseczki z filtrem
    5 hours ago

    I’m extremely pleased to discover this website. I wanted to thank you for ones time just for this fantastic read!! I absolutely enjoyed every part of it and i also have you bookmarked to see new stuff in your site.

    Reply
  23. leonia shotton
    17 hours ago

    I loved your blog.Really looking forward to read more. Will read on…

    Reply
  24. chwilówki
    2 hours ago

    I reckon something truly special in this website.

    Reply
  25. Zoe
    8 hours ago

    Thanks so much for the blog post.Thanks Again. Great.

    Reply
  26. Sally
    16 hours ago

    You produce quality content, congratulations on this

    Reply

Leave your thought