#90: From Now On (PART 2)

【Controllables】
Uncontrollables: things in life that’s not up to ourselves; things which we can’t choose or decide for ourselves.
 
Controllables: things in life that’s up to ourselves; things which we can choose or decide for ourselves.
 
For example, “Getting admitted to ABC University” is Uncontrollable because we don’t admit ourselves to our dream school.  On the contrary, “Doing everything I can to strive for my dreams” is Controllable because that’s something that we can decide on our own and take action.
 
To clarify, Controllable doesn’t mean that the result is under our own control. In fact, the desired result may elude us, especially in the short run. For instance, we may get denied admission to ABC University.
 
Nevertheless, setting our sight on the longer-term outcome, “What we do from now on” is Controllable.
 
In this case, the longer-term outcome may be eventually getting admitted to ABC University. Or, it may be about growing and becoming a better person to live a fulfilling life; learning to adopt a broader perspective through deeper thoughts.
 
On a similar note, the very theme of this blog, “Making this world a better place for everyone” is also regrettably Uncontrollable. It’s because this goal is so grand--so much bigger than any one of us; immeasurable within any one person’s lifetime.
 
Nevertheless, “To advance toward that grand goal by helping people in need as best we can, one person at a time” is Controllable. That’s something that we can decide on our own and take action.
 
Likewise, as cited in the previous post, “Being born in a war zone” is Uncontrollable.
 
Nevertheless, “To have the courage and principles to say No! to war, No! to injustice, despite the fear of retaliation from the warmongering authority and its enablers” is Controllable.
 
Being born into poverty; to a dysfunctional family; being raised under abusive parents. They’re also Uncontrollable.
 
Nevertheless, “Becoming a well-educated, positive-minded adult who knows the joys of self-reliance through hard work; choosing a life-long partner to share all the happiness; mustering the moral courage to end the hurtful pattern of parental abuse” is Controllable.
 
Also, “Being born as a minority exposed to injustices such as discrimination, oppression, or persecution” is Uncontrollable.
 
Nevertheless, “Learning to think with deep compassion, actively striving to eliminate the traditional privileges so that our world will one day become a fair place for all” is Controllable.
 
In this way, what’s truly important is What we do from now on about the Controllables.
 
And that, we can decide on our own and take action.

Read Next: From Now On (3)【Let's Commit】
Read Previous: From Now On (1)【What's Truly Important】
 
Complete Series: From Now On (1)～(3)
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Read Theme: Perspective