Control That Not This

We all waste energy trying to control aspects of our lives, that are completely out of our reach. We have also experienced giving into something, we thought we couldn’t control, but really could of. Self control is like a muscle. We can make it weaker or stronger. We can also fatigue it. We need to admit it’s a big piece of the puzzle when making changes.

We are exposed to an enormous amount of temptation and choices on a daily basis. Researchers have concluded that we all spend about 4 hours a day resisting temptation and making decisions. Should I check Facebook or interact with the human who is actually sitting next to me? Eat pita chips or cut up veggies to dip in hummus? Watch Bravo or walk the dog? Do it now or later. Definitely later because my future self has more discipline than my current self! Or so we think.

The picture above was taken in our flower garden this week. It’s February. I live in New Hampshire! That bud should be covered in snow! I have absolutely zero control over what’s happening to my flowers right now. I will admit, I tried to come up with ways to stop that plant from growing! That would mean I am trying to control nature? The research says I have a limited amount of internal resources for self control. Meaning, the more energy I waste trying to control greenery, the less energy I will have to curb my desire for Stacy’s pita chips. I think I will save my energy for the type of control that gets results. Self control.