“I cannot always control what goes on outside. But I can always control what goes on inside.”
~ Wayne W. Dyer
I recently heard a parable about a man who wanted to cover the world with leather.
Why?
Covering the earth with leather would allow him to walk barefoot everywhere and never worry about bruising or hurting his feet. Wouldn’t that be great? Wouldn’t you like to walk around knowing you were fully protected at all times?
Unfortunately, you can’t. It probably goes without saying but covering the entire world with leather is highly impractical.
Even if you could, the folks from PETA (People Eating Tasty Animals) would probably give you a very hard way to go. You can however protect your feet by wearing shoes so that no matter where you walk your feet are protected.
There’s more to this parable than a story about leather, earth and feet. You can spend your life attempting to control the people and situations around you so you never get hurt.
You probably know people like that. Maybe you’ve been guilty of this behavior yourself.
People like this are known as control freaks. Maybe you know people who are afraid of new situations, places, people or food. They are considered control freaks as well.
Trying to control all of the people and situations around you is as useless as trying to cover the earth with leather. You are better off using your time and energy to work on yourself.
Preparing yourself for life’s inevitable challenges. Refining your skills in dealing with difficult people and/or situations so you’re prepared to meet the challenge head on.
How?
You can start by recognizing the only thing you can control in any situation is yourself. You control your thoughts, actions and perceptions.
Once you accept this and you strengthen your responses to the challenges in your life; it will be the same as placing strong leather on the soles of your feet. You will be protected no matter where you step.
The Serenity Prayer
God grant me the serenity
to accept the things I cannot change;
courage to change the things I can;
and wisdom to know the difference.
Living one day at a time;
Enjoying one moment at a time;
Accepting hardships as the pathway to peace;
Taking, as He did, this sinful world
as it is, not as I would have it;
Trusting that He will make all things right
if I surrender to His Will;
That I may be reasonably happy in this life
and supremely happy with Him
Forever in the next.
Amen.
~ Reinhold Niebuhr
