Things You Can Control

Bonjour mes amies! I’m reporting to you from lovely Canada! I just wrapped up two weeks at a program at McGill University and wow was it amazing! I’ve learned so much in these last two weeks, and I feel like a changed person for the better. I missed you all during this little two week hiatus, but I’m back now and ready to create some amazing summer content.

Recently, I read Heart Talk: Poetic Wisdom for a Better Life by Cleo Wade a.k.a the most inspirational book ever (I also mentioned it in my June Reflection). It emphasizes cultivating and spreading kindness, bravery, and love. The book inspired me to do a little post about the ‘things that you can control’.

What are the ‘things that you can control’?

Sometimes life seems crazy. No, actually life is crazy. You may be hit by obstacles and roadblocks. Disease, death, mental illness… they don’t discriminate and they are often unavoidable. The challenges of a complicated relationship, a stressful job, poverty, politics… they also take a toll on our well being and happiness. However, in this hectic and difficult world, these are a few things that you can control: your kindness, your words, your perseverance, your friends, and your effort. We can use these qualities to enrich our lives, uplift others, and spread love and positivity.

☆How kind you are☆

“For beautiful eyes, look for the good in others; for beautiful lips, speak only words of kindness; and for poise, walk with the knowledge that you are never alone.” -Audrey Hepburn

People can be rude. They can be downright nasty. We may feel the need to respond with the same negative energy. But why concede to their anger and hatefulness? Let your lovingness and sweetness shine through even in the toughest moments. Show how simple it is to be kind and let others follow.

☆What you talk about☆

“What we do and how we speak is either constructive or destructive. Choose to be constructive. Don’t be a bulldozer where life calls on you to be a builder.” -Cleo Wade

What do you choose to talk about? Are your words beautiful and loving or evil and spiteful? Be the one to build people up and care for others. Treat everyone with the respect they deserve and be a model of positivity for others.

☆How personally you take things☆

“Be strong enough to stand alone, smart enough to know when you need help, and brave enough to ask for it”

Criticism is hard and failure is scary. However, these are not mountains to carry. They are mountains to climb over. Would you rather be ruined by praise or raised by criticism? Hate is not worthy of your attention, but constructive criticism is powerful to your self-growth. Embrace, change, and love, and your hard work will show through.

☆Who you hang out with☆

“Find your tribe. Love them hard” -Danielle La Porte

Surround yourself with wonderful people. Rich, broke, happy, sad, energetic, calm, busy, relaxed… All of these people can help you grow and offer a unique insight into another life. Fill your life with friends who make you smile and who make you laugh. Life is too short to spend time with people who don’t offer you the same love and kindness that you give to them.

☆Your effort☆

“And the best news of all is that it is never too late to become the person you’ve always wanted to be” -Cleo Wade

Work ethic belongs in every aspect of your life. Work on your relationships, on your career, on your self-love. You are worthy of your goals and you have the ability to go after them. Work hard but work smart and speak to yourself like you are giving a pep talk to a friend. Instead of searching for your dream life, make your dream life.

I hope this post was refreshing and encouraging. You all inspire me so much and I want to inspire you as well. I’ll see you very soon.

QOTD: What are some small things that make you happy?