Cognitive Behavioural Therapy

Courage to make changes and serenity to accept what you can't change.

Many times in all of our lives we can find ourselves in a situation in which we have no control and no power.

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Last night my husband and I were discussing what we can do in a situation in which we have very little control or no control. Many times in all of our lives we can find ourselves in a situation in which we have no control and no power. You didn't mean to get there, you don't even know how you got there, but you got there. You find yourself in a situation that you didn't cause, you didn't create and yet there you are. Outside forces have made it happen. But in that, we have to change the situation - it's not where we want to be. So then we must do all that we can to change it. Brainstorm and define all that you can do to make the changes. Make your list, your action plan.

However, if we worry, and suffer and stress in the time while we are waiting for these changes to happen what good is that going to do? And not only that, it's possible that this suffering and worrying will get in the way of our peace of mind but it can also get in the way of the changes that we are working hard to implement.

So, in the meantime, the time the changes will take to happen, find a way to maintain your peace of mind. It's no good suffering over this situation. It's out of our control until it's back into our control- if it ever even can be.

Remember the poem- "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."When you are in a situation and it feels hopeless and helpless, first of all, define everything that you can do and get started doing it. In the meantime, do things that make you happy, keep yourself distracted with wonderful, fun things. Don't forget that life is going on while these changes are happening so don't lose sight of that. Bring some joy in and keep it coming during this entire process and then one day, you will be where you wanted to be but you got there with happiness rather than worrying. "Life isn't about waiting for the storm to pass, it's about learning to dance in the rain."