When I started accepting life, instead of trying to control it!

We all make plans, whether for today, next week, or even the next 5-10 years for ourselves and our families. But, if we take a moment to analyze how many of those plans come to fruition as we envisioned, it's likely that very few do. This is because life happens, and things don't always go as planned.

We often feel emotions of sadness, depression, and disappointment not because of how life unfolds, but because things didn't go our way as we had planned. At the root of these feelings is our innate desire to control our destiny and our lives, which can lead to disappointment.

I too have been guilty of worrying about things that are not in my control, becoming bitter about life when it didn't go as planned, and even despising myself for not achieving enough and comparing myself to others.

However, I have come to realize that while we cannot control outcomes, we can only influence them. Instead of worrying about what hasn't happened yet or dwelling on what has happened, it is important to accept the outcome and sincerely work towards influencing it. By being present and living in the present, we can let go of what is not in our control.

To share a recent experience that reinforced this belief, last month I was preparing to apply for passport renewals for my two children. I had listed all of the required documents and planned to get passport photos taken at the library. Everything was planned, indexed, and ready. However, upon arriving at the library on a Saturday, I was informed that the photo booth was not working and the passport application system was down. Despite knowing that I had no control over the situation, I was understandably frustrated and disappointed.

I decided to make the best of the situation and spent additional time at the library, browsing and buying books that were on discount. I even bought a book by Satya Nadella, "Hit Refresh" (which I haven't read yet). After that, we left the library, but only after coming home I realized that I had left two files containing my children's passports, social security, and other important documents. I immediately called the library, but it was closed and my calls went to voicemail.

At this point, I had two options:

1. Worry, stress out, and feel guilty, imagining all the negative possibilities of the lost passports and other documents, needing to reapply, and disrupting travel plans. Spend the weekend being bitter and worrying about things I can't control.

OR

2. Accept what had happened and come to peace with it, not allowing it to spoil the weekend and take care of the situation on Monday morning.

I chose the latter, understanding that there was nothing I could do until the library opened on Monday. I prayed, hoped and spent time with my family without carrying the burden of guilt.

On Monday morning, I went to the library early and waited for it to open. I was just trying to influence the outcome by being early and giving myself the first chance to enter the library. Fortunately, the people at the library had found the two file folders on the book racks and had handed them over to the passport application office. As soon as we were able to enter the library, I saw the files on the table. To my surprise, I felt relaxed as I had not been focusing on the outcome but rather preparing to do my part and hoping and praying for things to be in my favor.