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TRUST: LETTING GO OF THE NEED FOR CONTROL
Letting go of control means more joy, freedom, inner-peace, connection and support.
BY LEXUS WILLIAMS
Human beings have a deep-seated desire for certainty and control. Several studies show this need services our belief that we can shape outcomes and events to our liking. That is, the more in control we feel, the more successful we feel about achieving the outcomes we desire, and this sense of competence boosts well-being.
But can the desire to be in control go too far? Can seeking control undermine happiness? The answer, it turns out, is yes. Seeking control is a good thing—but only to a certain extent. Beyond that point, the drive to control can negatively impact the mind, body and spirit. EMBRACING UNCERTAINTY
Uncertainty is a natural component of life. Quite frankly, one of the only certainties in life is that uncertainty is not going anywhere. No matter the circumstance, being uncertain does not mean you are lost or a failure. It simply means you are alive.
At times, you may find yourself overwhelmed by uncertainty, but if you choose to embrace this sensation, you will become more confident and able to trust that things will work out for the best. Just like any new thought pattern, you will need to practice accepting uncertainty until it becomes a habit. Moving through these difficult feelings will allow you to develop self-confidence and faith within yourself.
While learning how to cope with feelings of uncertainty may
be easier said than done, here are a few tips that may help you embrace uncertainty in a new light: • Let Go
Resistance and fighting are rigid outputs that drain our inner peace. Acceptance is fluid, light, and ever-changing. Realizing you cannot control all aspects of your life is the first step to accepting uncertainty for what it is. Instead of avoiding reality, recognize that you are stronger with each new challenge set before you. • Choose to Embrace
– Winston Churchill
When you resist your emotions, they hold more power over you. Instead, let the emotions surrounding your uncertainty— anxiety, fear, self-doubt, restlessness— run their course. By allowing yourself to feel even the most difficult of emotions, you will have greater control of the power your emotions have over your behavior. • Focus on What You Can Control
Awareness that you cannot control all aspects of your life is the first stage in empowering yourself and re-focusing your energy in those areas where control is within reach. Be mindful by practicing self-awareness and being present in the moment. • Welcome Surprises
Not all uncertainty is bad. When you are prepared and open to surprises, you will grow in knowledge and embark on new journeys you never imagined possible. • Venture Out Uncertainty can leave you incapacitated and unable to move forward. You must accept that moving forward to become a healthier individual comes with risks, but it is worth it because you are worth it. • Become Fearless in Faith Fear and uncertainty go hand in hand. Reintegrating spiritual guidance into your daily routine is the key to fearlessness and offers us the freedom of not having to be in constant control. Our Native American history shows us that spirituality is meant to be a way of daily life. When we trust our Creator with our plans, hopes, and dreams, everything we do becomes an attempt to improve our health and wellbeing as well as the health and well-being of those around us.
As you learn to accept uncertainty, you will realize just how resilient and strong you truly are.
