Each and every human being on the earth faces an array of challenges, obstacles and triumphs. Some are big, and some are quite small, but regardless of the size, whatever the matter may be, it can impact our emotions and day to day productivity. I have heard quite a few times, in many different variations, that the sun comes after the storm and we have to go through hell before we get to heaven, but when we are facing something that is upsetting us or there is an external issue we cannot solve ourselves, we not only get down in the dumps, but we begin to blame what is around us.

When we are upset it is easy to put the faults on other’s backs, to blame the issue on someone or something else, and tell ourselves things such as, “If this person didn’t do blank, this wouldn’t have happened” or “If they stopped doing this then no one would blank” which does temporarily ease the disruption of whatever is going on, but it is only temporary. If you take a look at the scenario of blaming someone or something else and break it down a little bit, you can notice that you are only transferring the emotions and trying to find short term solution with blame which doesn’t help really any part of anything.

We all know what it feels like to be upset about things that we might not have much control over, but there is one thing we have 100% control over and that is our perception and reaction. If a friend is bothering us, something at work is getting on our nerves or someone hits our car, we can only control how we deal with it ourselves.

Of course, we can blame others and be angry about it, but I can assure you that it won’t help too much. Instead, take a step back and look at the situation, digest it and instead of trying to blame and resolve and place your anger, understand and turn inward. Focus on how you are perceiving the situation and know that you have control over your reaction.

We often forget this but remember you have the power to be happy all the time if you choose to. You have the power to control your reactions every day. It is far too easy to get stressed and overwhelmed and angry towards external disruptions, but why bother? Don’t let the negative vibes ruin your mood, your drive, and productivity.

Things in our lives take wrong turns every day that we have no control over, but somehow still have the ability to effect us. When nothing is going your way in whatever aspect of life, just remember you control your thoughts and feelings. You control your attitude and reactions, and nothing can change that.

When nothing is going the right way, turn into yourself and grasp the power that you have to control your reactions. You are much stronger than you might think.