Who is in charge of our lives?

Who is in control of our lives? We go through
life with purpose and aim, that remain in intentions
that we dont implement. We want to lose weight
and we don't achieve to. We want to be more
agile and flexible but we lack discipline. We
want to have some rest but our thoughts torment
us. The list is never-ending with unfulfilled
goals, 'dominated' by various causes.

When the world feels like a threat and
a place where suffering is formed, we look for
escape mechanisms. These escape mechanisms
are dependencies in our lives much like drugs, sex,
power, gambling, people or compulsive shopping.
We can't live without our escape mechanisms.

So, who is at the steering wheel when it comes
to our life? According to buddhist master Thich Nhat Hanh, the perceptions, mental formations and
habits determine our happiness and suffering. We need to question them to free ourselves from false peception and mental formations (such as superstitions and false beleifs) that provoke unnecessary suffering in us.
                 
We can learn from nature. Plants ascend in the search                

for light to give them life, but also sink their
roots in the ground so they can be nourished.
If we connect to our internal 'sap', we can face
difficulties converting them to opportunities to keep
growing.

The way we percieve ourselves and the other determines
our attitude and governs our thoughts. This determines
whether we see the other person as an enemy or as a
source of learning and exchange. Do we percieve ourselves
as unable helpless and without value? Or do we
percieve ourselves as with vitality and interior
strengh?

Perceptions condition our thinking, and for this reason
we should question them and not always belive that
we are in the right. Everything is relative to how
a situation or person is looked at or judged.
We need to choose to look at life, people and
situations with hope and strength.

Is it necessary to feel pressure in the workplace, relationships and in studies? The answer is no.
It's about evaluating and changing our beliefs. When we think something bad will occur if we don't
achieve our goal, we feel under pressure. The fear of failure generates pressure. The fear of
feeling abandoned if we do not meet other people's expectations. Sometimes we like to think that a bit
of pressure is good in order to accomplish what we want. But in the long rung this habit leaves us drained.
Working under pressure reduces our ability to think straight, choose wisely and act appropriately.
Until the self doesn't realise the danger in this habit, one cannot begin to change it.

One will keep blaming the situation,                                                

other people's expectations and deadlines imposed
by work and studies as causes of stress. One will
be able to meet the objectives with stress,
anxiety, pressure and in a hurry. But if we change
this habit, we will be able to meet expectations
with confidence, determination, persevierance and
calmness. It depends on the person which path he or
she chooses to take.

To put our life in order, we must govern our
capacity to think and feel. We must generate
positive thoughts, inspiring and creative,
and let ourselves feel more happiness, inspiration,
admiration, apreciation, gratitude and hope.
It's about being concious of what one feels and
thinks. When one realises the thoughts aren't heading
in a healthy direction, to take a step back, breathe
and think about the moments of vitality to
look for inspiration and strength.

Tags: Who is in charge of our lives?, Taking charge of your life, Take control of your life,
How to take charge of your life, A plan for taking back control of your life