THINGS WE CAN CHANGE

​Angela Davis said “I am no longer accepting the things I cannot change. I’m changing the things I cannot accept”. This is a very deep perspective. I have always believed that we need to accept the things we cannot change; that we must learn to give up control when things are beyond our control. I still believe that. But Ms. Davis’ perspective has allowed me to give new thought to “things” versus people. We know we can’t change other people. I believe that we can develop our ability to communicate, confront, ask for what we need and hope to get that. However, the person from whom we request changed behavior must put in some work. If that person is able to make changes, the mission is accomplished. If not, we often have to work on ourselves to determine what we may be able to shift within ourselves in order to live with limitations of the other; determine if what the other does have to offer is acceptable or beneficial. Life is a tradeoff. We are always going to meet challenges in relationships. We need to accept that there are aspects, traits, characteristics, behaviors of others that we are unable to control. I believe Ms. Davis is encouraging us to take control of our own lives. And that, I am on board with. What do you want to change?

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