WHERE ARE YOU PUTTING YOUR ENERGY

My wife and I were talking and trying to work through a situation. It became obvious that what was occurring was that rather than just walking the path, there was a significant amount of energy and stress being applied to try to alter the path. 

Some things can and need to be changed, while others are better off accepted as is. These occurrences really do represent the serenity prayer well: God, grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change, courage to change the things I can, and wisdom to know the difference.

• Reinhold Neibuhr

We all need to work to be aware of how we are applying our energies. Are we striving to get something accomplished and at what price, or are we working to alter the path / expectation in an effort to extricate ourselves from the situation? In the end, we have expended more energy and suffered more, accomplished less, than if we would have just walked the original path. 

A significant amount of practice is required to develop the flexibility and wisdom to navigate life in a manner that decreases suffering without increasing it.