There are times in our lives when we are confronted with the reality that we are not in control of the world around us.
As hard as we try, and as much as we’d like to think we’re in control, the reality is, we are not. And there are seasons and circumstances that remind us of that fact.
A natural disaster, a terminal diagnosis, a wayward son, an unexpected layoff… each of those come to mind as examples.
At this current moment in time, almost everyone in the world, simultaneously, is being confronted with the reality of lost control through the spread of a virus. A tiny virus, invisible to the naked eye, has brought the world to a screeching halt, disrupting everything in its path—even life as normal.
Our control has been upended. No doubt about it.
We, of course, never had as much control over our lives and the world as we thought we did, but still, it is hard to lose the little that we had. The world, it feels, has spun into chaos.
So how do we respond when the world is in chaos? How do we begin to move forward?
For one, we take back control of what we can control—even in the smallest of ways.
We’ve all been reminded that we are not in ultimate control of the universe. But that doesn’t mean we’ve lost all ability to maintain control over our lives. Even if our usual day-to-day opportunities have been taken from us by another, there is still much we can control.
For example:
We can still control what time we wake up in the morning.
We can still choose to get ready in the morning for the day ahead.
We can eat healthy. We can remain physically active.
We can make our bed in the morning, we can choose to reset our home in the evening.
We can choose what we watch and listen to, and we can control what time we turn off the television at night.
We can always control our attitude and our response to the people and events around us.
We can love our family.
We can choose kind words in conversations.
If you are a man or woman of faith, you can choose to rely upon it during this time.
We can still decide to make the most of each day in front of us.
Controlling what you can might not seem like much, but it’s something.
Actually, it’s a lot more than something. It is an essential strategy for each of us going forward.
It is the first step in moving from a reactive life to a proactive one. And it is the first step in making the most of our current circumstances.
So, focus your energy there, even if it seems like very little. When the world is in chaos, control what you can.
Stay healthy, stay well, and stay focused. We’ll get through this together.
Glenda Fitzgerald says
Thank you so much for this email & the encouraging & uplifting content. You have impacted my life in many ways, from resetting a room at the end of the day, to a much cleaner, organized kitchen to reducing the number of waste in my home by not renewing magazines because your Simplify mag is the best. Then, there are your books, I have them all. The biggest impact though is on my checking account balance that has just enough to pay bills with a comfortable cushion for the unexpected. My husband & I have a joint savings account that has quadrupled since I started saving instead of spending. All of this AND I will be a part of the May class. I want to see what else I can learn from you. Thank you, Joshua!
Aikenite says
I watched a story about a holocaust survivor on Sunday night. He spent two years alone in an attic. It makes me angry to see people who can’t stay home and aren’t treating this virus situation seriously.
DIXIE JORDAN says
I keep trying to unsubscribe but I still get messages! He never tells how the best way to dispose of the stuff. It is a waste of my time and space on email!
joshua becker says
There is an unsubscribe link clearly marked on the bottom of every email. You can click it any time to stop receiving these blog posts via email.
Beth says
Love this. I’ve been doing a lot of this already and you just confirmed to me that I’m doing the right thing. Thank you, Joshua!
Jo says
Thanks, Mr. Becker! God is using you to encourage others….keep on being available! ?
Judy says
For sure!!! ??
Tina says
We took early retirement many years ago.There is so much volunteer work I usually do but I miss it.
Jo says
Thanks, Mr. Becker! God is using you to encourage others. Keep on being available to Him! God bless you and your family. Praying for you now. ?
Debra says
This was exactly what I needed to hear during week 3 of working remote and staying at home. There is much we can control. Our decisions impact our life and others. Thank you.
A. Mills says
Thank you for this! Great reminders in this unsettling time!
Kim says
This is the most enlightening
Words I’ve read! Thank you for making ppl more calm aware and take a one day at a time
Tell your family I will be praying for y’all and the world also
Deborah Ferris says
I really like this message! We have so many things we can control in a positive way. I continue to pursue a meaningful life even in isolation. I am busy all day. I maintain my schedule for sleeping and getting up. When I feel stressed or can’t sleep, I meditate. One of my goals is to provide delicious, healthy comfort food every evening so we have something to look forward to.
Stay safe and healthy.
Jhodie King says
Great article!! I only realised the impact and importance of this yesterday.
I’m finding that cleaning with a bleachy cloth (squirt of bleach in hot water) is helping me to feel more in control. I’ve never given this any thought before, but as you say, it’s taking control where we can, and it feels very reassuring!
Thankyou for your fab articles x
diane says
Thank you for being a positive messager. (as a writer/editor, I’m allowed to make words up, and as a rebel, to break the ending a word with ‘up’ rule. and introducing me to who I am, a minimalizer.