Life has felt heavy. COVID. Politics. Racial divisions. Natural disasters.
I feel the weight of these many issues, and somedays I have to battle to find hope.
On a large scale, most of this is out of my control, hence the heaviness of it all. However, there are ways that I can engage and get involved in my small scope of the world. When these pressures add to the “blah” of my day or contribute to my “cloudy” brain, I try to focus less on what I cannot control and more on what I can.
I can control my attitude.
I can choose gratitude over grumpiness. I can practice curiosity over judgment. I can loosen demands to have things go my way and humbly accept what others might desire or need. I can listen to music that uplifts my soul. I can seek Jesus’ heart perspective for other people and circumstances and pray before responding. I can vulnerably ask others to pray for me. I can lean towards trust and hope instead of worry.
I can control my words.
I can talk less and listen intentionally. I can ask more questions and offer less advice. I can work less at convincing others of my viewpoint and willingly accept the complexity of differing opinions. I can take time to reflect and journal. I can speak with love and encouragement instead of argumentativeness. I can pause before I say or write something mean or sarcastic and refrain from adding negativity to a situation. I can complain and criticize less. I can ask for forgiveness when I am wrong and let go of grudges against those who have hurt me.
I can control my actions.
I can turn off social media and TV inputs that are combative, angry, and hate-filled. I can seek out education, new learning, and diverse perspectives instead. I can lift my head, make eye contact, and smile at the person near me. I can willingly go to places that are awkward and uncomfortable for me to understand life journeys that are not like mine. I can give generously to those causes I believe in and to those who have been hard hit. I can look for ways to volunteer and serve those who have needs.
As I was writing this post, I began to recognize how much I can do. I cannot change the whole world dynamic, but I can change my small corner. I cannot do all of this every day. It is a continual battle, and sometimes it feels like the dismay will win. But other days, I get to experience a bit of victory. The discouragement has less power in my life, and I sense that I am contributing a good, healthy, and positive influence where I can.
How do you fight off discouragement? How do you contribute in a healthy way?
maturitas cafe 
“I can engage and get involved in my small scope of the world…I can lift my head, make eye contact, and smile at the person near me. I can willingly go to places that are awkward and uncomfortable for me to understand life journeys that are not like mine.”
This progression here. First, we engage in the scope of my own self with the LORD (lift my head) who loves us. Then the person across the room (eye contact and smile). Then, the person past your experience of life who needs love-connection (the awkward places).
This all starts with having Hope in our small scopes, and that small beginnings are not despised by the LORD, but lifted up in power. What good news is this!
Thank you for this. I feel empowered by re-discovering the agency I actually have. I really needed this does of the TRUER reality today.
Thanks for stopping by to read, sweet lady. I just realized that I didn’t respond to your comment – since I was away on my amazing birthday vacation. More on that later. =) So thankful you found a reminder of your agency here – He does provide power in small and grand ways. Praying that you have a wonderful weekend! “See” you soon!
Thanks Terry, for your insights. Just the other day, I spoke with a friend who was struggling with this, and asked her, what is one thing you can do right now? And that is a question I often need to ask myself.
Thanks for reading, Jan. Yes – the reminders are good for all of us! 🙂
Reblogged this on Leader Impact and commented:
As leaders, we need to fight discouragement so our best self shows up across the table (or Zoom screen) from others. We want to contribute and add value to the lives of others in healthy ways. While there is much today we cannot control, think about all we actually can control…
Thanks for the reblog!
Wow. There is actually a ton of things I can do! I love the list. Getting out in nature, exercise, eating well, spending time with friends, walks, running all fill my tank and give me momentum to choose those things I can control.
Thanks for reading – and doing lots of those fun things with me.
You nailed it again, Ter! It’s so easy to focus on what’s wrong and what’s not going well rather than what I can do proactively. Waiting and watching what God will do with all this rather than trying to fix things the way I think they should be fixed. Choosing my attitude–woohoo, what a challenge! That thing just sneaks up on me and grabs me in the gut. Being conscious of how I respond–that’s going to take work! Thanks for this!
I may be a bit too honest with my struggles at times! Ha! Yes, this attitude-choice thing is a lot of work. Thanks for reading and facing this challenge with me. That helps a lot!
Terry so appreciate this and the reminder that we actually have choices. Thanks for taking the time to write it.
Awww. Most of what I write is because I need the reminder myself! 🙂 It’s always encouraging when it resonates with others too. Thanks for reading, friend. Would love to chat with you in person again soon!
Thank you Terry – yes, great reminders that in the midst of things we can’t control or change, there is a lot we can do! Looking for ways to encourage others, taking time to chat on the phone with somebody who isn’t able to get out like they are used to, getting outside and enjoying creation, remembering that ups and downs are normal . . . all of these things help!
Great additions, Melissa! Yes, I’ve enjoyed phone calls more than ever before and getting outside into creation for sure! Connections with people like you help too!
What a great reminder of all the options we actually have when we feel so limited. I find that trying to stay in the present moment is helpful when feeling discouraged. One day at a time is usually manageable. Piling all the “ what if’s “ up tends to drag me down fast.
That’s really helpful, Karen. Yes, taking life one day at a time is – what IS today – that is really good. Thanks for adding that!