Last week was a tough one for me. Processing the results of the election caused some turmoil, uncertainty, and fear in my household and among my friends. I know we weren’t alone in that, and frankly, just knowing that has helped me. With all of those feelings comes another feeling–one that can immobilize me if I let it. It’s the feeling of being powerless. So after dwelling in that for a few days, I’ve decided to do what I know how to do–focus on controlling what I can control.
We’ve got this.
I was reminded of the power of this by a friend and colleague recently. Her name is Meredith Brick and she leads Brick Wall Training. She wrote,
“We desire change in our world and with other people, but in the end the only thing we control is the change we create within our own minds and body.”
Well, damn. Ain’t that the truth?
I can control how much news I consume.
I can control how I reach out to people who mean the most to me.
I can control what I give my time and attention to.
I can control my calendar, ensuring that I spend my time in ways that support me.
I can control making space to honor the emotions I feel, ensuring that I act on them in ways that support my goals.
And let the rest go.
I’m in a season of reflection and planning for the coming year. In the coming weeks, I’ll share the questions and prompts that guide me in this process in the hopes that you might find them useful, too. It’s a great time to take time out from the hustle and bustle, and regroup.
Thanks for sticking with me. These final two months of the year have been really hard for me since 2020. Too much loss and sadness. Getting to connect with you helps remind me that I’m never alone. Together, we’ve got this.
