4 Ways to Let Go of the Things You Cannot Control

Most spiritual philosophies speak of letting go of the things that do not serve you. In today's unrestful climate of chronic change, we cannot forget that there are many things we cannot control. Letting go of this, will bring much peace into your life.  

1. Understand Your Circle of Concern + Influence

A Circle of Concern encompasses the wide range of concerns we have, such as our health, our children, problems at work, the amount of government borrowing, or the threat of war. A Circle of Influence encompasses those concerns that we can do something about.

You cannot control other people, but you can control your thoughts, actions and behaviors. For those getting frustrated from the media, they can get lost in a world of negativity because they are presented with so many situations or things that are out of one's control. 

There is a boundary to what you can and cannot control. 

We cannot control politicians, but we have the control to write our governors letters, or sign petitions. 

It is important not to get lost in the complex webs of the circle of influence or control especially during difficult times. 

We have been bred to want to change the world, but only a select few souls will actually do that. The point is don't lose control of what you can't control. This will make difficult times a bit easier by having the awareness of what you can control, or what you let influence or control you.

2. Understanding "Maya" The Illusion 

In yoga philosophy, there is a term, Maya, which means illusion. 

Most of the human experience that we understand through our five senses is an illusion. Most people are stuck with the illusion that materialism will buy one happiness. In terms of control, we are under an illusion that we are in full control. 

In reality, if one believes in God, God has control of everything on the planet. If you analyze society, we have become a society of control freaks running around and trying to control everything and everyone from what they say, to what they post, to have a vaccine or not. 

The illusion of Maya is that we are only and solely in control of ourselves. As mentioned above, We can only control our thoughts, actions and behaviors. 

Ask yourself, "How do I want to live in this life?" Do you want to be the ripple effect for positivity, or negativity and destruction. 

​When you realize you are in an illusion, and that it is an illusion to control everything beyond your immediate circle of concern, you naturally let go and radiate with freedom as it releases so much stress and worry from the mind.  

3. Trust That Everything Will Work Out

Those who believe in God know that life is a series of ebbs and flows, and that God may put difficult times in your life in order for your soul to grow. 

If one believes in God, one knows that everything is ordained or deep down, everything in life will work out. There is an innate deep trust in the divine to know that everything in life will work out regardless of high and low times. 

When you have that deep trust, you let go of any attachments and become at peace with the situation. And that peace often comes from having spiritual knowledge, or deeply understanding things like the serenity prayer. 

4. Making Peace with the Situation & Understanding the Serenity Prayer 

Many spiritual theories offer mantras, sayings or prayers that help one make peace with situations, especially ones they cannot control. The Serenity Prayer has been used in AA to help people cope with recovery as many consume substances to cope with their emotions for things they cannot control. 

Prayer for SerenityGod, grant me the serenity
to accept the things I cannot change,
the courage to change the things I can,
and the wisdom to know the difference.
Living one day at a time,
enjoying one moment at a time;
accepting hardship as a pathway to peace;
taking, as Jesus did,
this sinful world as it is,
not as I would have it;
trusting that You will make all things right
if I surrender to Your will;
so that I may be reasonably happy in this life
and supremely happy with You forever in the next.
Amen

What tools or techniques help you to let go of things you cannot control?
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