Strength to Change the Things We Can

My friend and mentor, the late, great legendary Coach John Wooden, often said, “Things turn out best for those who make the best of the way things turn out.” This was Coach Wooden’s attempt to get us all to understand that we need to find peace and happiness in the midst of things that we can’t change. 

On the other hand, Coach Wooden was a huge proponent and teacher of hard work and diligence as a tool to change yourself and the world around you. He would have agreed with George Bernard Shaw who said, “Take steps to get what you like, or you’ll be forced to like what you get.” Shaw was commenting on people who find more motivation to complain about things than they find motivation to change things. 

As difficult as it may seem to understand, it’s often hard to know what we like and dislike. We may not like to study, but we may very much like getting good grades. We may not like to make cold calls and sales presentations, but we may really like high commissions and bonuses. We may not like boring, mind-numbing practice, but we may really like a stellar performance. 

I remember working at an event with my friend and colleague Zig Ziglar. We’d had difficulty that day with the weather, the transportation, the sound system, the staff at the convention center where we were speaking, and it seemed like every other aspect of the day’s activities.  Zig was in his normal great mood when one of the venue employees said rather sarcastically, “Well, you’re in an awfully good mood today.” Zig burst out in that infectious Ziglar laugh and responded, “Many years ago, I decided to be in a good mood today.”

This always puts me in mind of that amazing prayer that asks for the strength to change what can be changed, the patience to accept what cannot be changed, and the understanding to know the difference. 

Before you expend effort and energy to change something, make sure it is something you can actually impact and it is worth doing. On the other hand, don’t suffer or even be annoyed by something that you can readily alter. Never complain about your circumstances until you accept the reality that we all live in a world predominantly of our own making.

As you go through your day today, accept the inevitable, change the variable, and enjoy it all.

Today’s the day!

Jim Stovall is the president of Narrative Television Network as well as a published author of many books including The Ultimate Gift. He is also a columnist and motivational speaker. He may be reached at 5840 South Memorial Drive, Suite 312, Tulsa, OK 74145-9082; by e-mail at Jim@JimStovall.com; or on Facebook at www.facebook.com/jimstovallauthor.

One Response to Strength to Change the Things We Can

  1. Jerry Seavey June 5, 2012 at 10:17 am #

    Greats words Jim. In the over 30 years working as a coach & trainer there is I am continually reminded that nothing can beat the power of personal accountability and the flexibility of perception that responsibility requires.

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