Under Control
Attention -- all control freaks. (That includes me, by the way.) I have an important annoucement to make:
About 96% of life is outside the scope of your control!
Isn't that an unpleasant surprise? You knock yourself out trying to manipulate outcomes and make things go a certain way, but realize you have less than a 5% chance that it will turn out exactly how you had planned it! The odds aren't stacked in your favor. Less than 5%!
Here's another interesting observation. The more effort you put in trying to control everything, the less control you'll have. Strivings and graspings only lead to frustration and further chaos.
You can't control life's circumstances. The unexpected pops up every day.
You can't control other people. To a limited degree, I suppose, are able to control behaviors (i.e. parents who are guiding and disciplining their children), but we can NEVER control the attitudes of others.
You can't control the end results of your efforts. Of course, you'll increase your chances of success if you make good plans, work hard, and think smart. But you can't create the final outcome. There are many uncertain variables that go into producing the final result.
For example, both the Bears and the Colts fully intended to win the Super Bowl. Both teams planned, practiced, and poured their hearts into winning that game. Neither team, however, figured rain or slippery footballs into the equation. Stuff happens. The Colts adjusted a little better than the Bears, and walked away with victory. Sometimes, the very best plans and schemes go awry.
So, what is the 4% you CAN control?
1. You can control your thoughts.
2. You can control your words.
3. You can control your attitude.
4. You can control your behavior.
When you spend more time and energy controlling what you CAN control rather than the things you can't, you'll be surprised at how much more fulfilling your life will become.
About 96% of life is outside the scope of your control!
Isn't that an unpleasant surprise? You knock yourself out trying to manipulate outcomes and make things go a certain way, but realize you have less than a 5% chance that it will turn out exactly how you had planned it! The odds aren't stacked in your favor. Less than 5%!
Here's another interesting observation. The more effort you put in trying to control everything, the less control you'll have. Strivings and graspings only lead to frustration and further chaos.
You can't control life's circumstances. The unexpected pops up every day.
You can't control other people. To a limited degree, I suppose, are able to control behaviors (i.e. parents who are guiding and disciplining their children), but we can NEVER control the attitudes of others.
You can't control the end results of your efforts. Of course, you'll increase your chances of success if you make good plans, work hard, and think smart. But you can't create the final outcome. There are many uncertain variables that go into producing the final result.
For example, both the Bears and the Colts fully intended to win the Super Bowl. Both teams planned, practiced, and poured their hearts into winning that game. Neither team, however, figured rain or slippery footballs into the equation. Stuff happens. The Colts adjusted a little better than the Bears, and walked away with victory. Sometimes, the very best plans and schemes go awry.
So, what is the 4% you CAN control?
1. You can control your thoughts.
2. You can control your words.
3. You can control your attitude.
4. You can control your behavior.
When you spend more time and energy controlling what you CAN control rather than the things you can't, you'll be surprised at how much more fulfilling your life will become.
& depending on whose theology is ultimately correct, we mayn't have a scrap of control over that 4% (ask Martin Luther)!!
ReplyDelete~ Admonit
Arrgh!! Whyja go and say that?? It was hard enough for me to be ok with the four percent.
ReplyDeleteI wonder if Peter had control over his thoughts as he started to sink after actually walking on the water. Did he have control of what he said when he denied Christ not once, not twice, but three times? It seems it wasn't until the cock crowed that he realized what he had done.
ReplyDeleteWell, walking on water isn't any big deal. We do it all the time up here in Hayward -- in February.
ReplyDeleteWell, I guess God answered Cathy's childhood prayer to be able to 'walk on water' so she could be a witness by sending her to Wisconsin. Love, Linda and Sam
ReplyDeleteThanks for the reality check Mark. Us control freaks need that on a regular basis.
ReplyDelete