The Snowball Effect

Kristin Cuthriel

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What Can You Change?

May 13, 2013 Kristin 13 Comments

Serenity Prayer 2
Serenity Prayer 2 (Photo credit: Violette79)

What Can You Change?

When my brother was two he learned how to ride a little trike bike. He would zoom all over the house with his eyes focused on the pedals rather than on where he was going. One day he was so focused on making those pedals go around and around that he ran right into a wall.

When the wall didn’t move he grew angry, backed his bike up, and rammed it into the wall again. His inpatient stubborn two-year-old mind was thinking, “I want to go this way, and this wall just won’t get out of my way!” And the more he thought this, the more frustrated and mad at the wall he became.

He soon realized that the wall was never going to move, and he needed to change direction and find another way to where he was going. Can you relate? You probably don’t expect walls to get out of your way, but have you wasted precious energy and time trying to change something outside of yourself that just didn’t want to change? Have you been running into walls expecting them to move?

We can motivate, educate, and try to convince others to change, but at the end of the day, the change is up to them and them alone. So go ahead and make this world a better place, but focus your energy on the things that you can change rather than using it all up on things that are beyond your control.

Focus on being the best that you can be, regardless of the people around you. Never sacrifice your values because of the actions of others. Stay true to yourself, live with integrity, and you will find peace. Remember that you may never change them, but you can make changes within yourself.

Stop getting frustrated with walls that just aren’t going to move, and go find a new path that leads you to the great opportunities on the other side of that wall.

Related articles
  • The Art of Meaningful Living – 7: Understanding the “control problem” (thetaoofwealth.wordpress.com)

Psychology, Relationships beyond your control, change, change what you can, codependency

Comments

  1. stuartart says

    May 13, 2013 at 3:49 pm

    I think we can ALL relate to that at some point Kristin. 🙂

    Reply
    • Kristin Barton Cuthriell says

      May 14, 2013 at 11:12 am

      I agree. Have a terrific day, Stuart.

      Reply
  2. wordsfromanneli says

    May 13, 2013 at 4:30 pm

    The Serenity Prayer has always been one of my favourite quotes. Very wise!

    Reply
    • Kristin Barton Cuthriell says

      May 14, 2013 at 11:13 am

      One of my favorites too. 🙂

      Reply
  3. kindredspirit23 says

    May 14, 2013 at 12:58 am

    Beautifully said!
    Scott

    Reply
    • Kristin Barton Cuthriell says

      May 14, 2013 at 11:13 am

      Thanks Scott. 🙂

      Reply
  4. Tina Del Buono, PMAC says

    May 14, 2013 at 2:07 am

    This story reminds me of an organization that I have been working with for over a decade to make changes for the betterment of its members. I just decided recently that it is time to resign from my position. I guess I too got tired of banging my head and realized the wall was not going to move, so I better. Great post Kristin!

    Reply
    • Kristin Barton Cuthriell says

      May 14, 2013 at 11:33 am

      Thank you, Tina. Yes, we can try to help others make changes- but they have to be open to change.

      Reply
  5. Todd Lohenry says

    May 14, 2013 at 11:43 am

    Reblogged this on Wholeheartedness.

    Reply
    • Kristin Barton Cuthriell says

      May 15, 2013 at 9:55 pm

      Thanks for sharing this, Todd. I hope that you are doing well!

      Reply
      • Todd Lohenry says

        May 15, 2013 at 10:22 pm

        Dittos! Anything new?

        Reply
  6. Ann Tomlinson says

    May 16, 2013 at 10:04 pm

    I think that 2 year old was mine. He grew up to be a very hard working, determined, successful young man.

    Reply
    • Kristin Barton Cuthriell says

      May 17, 2013 at 12:05 am

      He is yours- and yes he did! 🙂

      Reply

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