Admitting powerlessness in a situation does not remove responsibility. For instance, alcoholic who admits powerlessness over alcohol is still responsible for effects of his/her disease on everyone around them, as well as for their recovery today and in future. This is covered beautifully in steps 2-12 of 12 Steps.

There's a second catch though... a good one. There's tremendous freedom in a genuine admission of powerlessness. It's as though heavy chains you've been locked into place with, fall to floor. It's like taking your first big breath of fresh air after nearly suffocating. The weight of a burden is cast away and a different approach has its beginning.

Figuring out what you have influence over and what you do not can be a challenge. If you were to take a sheet of paper and create two columns, one with heading "Can Influence" and other with "Powerless Over," this will assist you in process of determining what areas of your life go where. This will make this process simpler. There will be some areas you'll have to discern over. They will not conform easily to one side or other, and there may be components of a problem which you can influence and other parts you cannot control.

Let's take an in-law problem, for example. This one would likely belong in both columns. You may not be able to control what your in-law does (area for acceptance), but, at same time, you can set boundaries as well as decide what kinds of thoughts and behaviors you will display when this person is around you.

I'll leave you with another very popular tool to help you with achieving peace and joy in your life. We know it as The Serenity Prayer. It was originally spoken in a presentation given in 1932 by Dr. Reinhold Niebuhr. It was ending to a much longer prayer. Here is how we know it today:

THE SERENITY PRAYER

God,

Grant me SERENITY To ACCEPT things I cannot change... COURAGE to change things I can... and WISDOM to know difference.

Amen

Take necessary steps today to unburden yourself of just one area of your life that you are powerless over. You can do it. You will discover a new freedom by taking this unique action today.

Human nature is intriquitely defined by its owner. If we wish to merely exist, then exist we do. But if we take his question to a higher state of mind, we find life's perfect answer: Mankind's nature is to evolve. Not only to simply exist but to assure nonextinction of our species. We must use our natural instincts and capabilities to overcome and conquer. That, as in all things, must mature and ripen to a state of wholeness. Human nature may fool those and lure unsuspecting travelers of time, but higher truth of human nature is self exploration of life and ability to broaden horizons of self or "alter ego" and other individuals so they, too may come to see and equally realize unequivocal and honest meaning of life.

Yes, Shakespeare conquered literature with his defined works of human nature; but question he asks of us still confuses even most intelligent and collegiate individuals of our time. In this day and age, we have a choice "to be or not to be." This is no longer an inquiry but an option. We, as Humans, must choose path of higher truth and awareness. By remaining unattached, we choose not to fully exist. A play of words can tantalize senses, but Human nature can enrich world in which we live. The choice is yours.

(c) Lady Camelot

LadyCamelot currently serves as the Public Relations' Director for Holistic Junction.com - Your Pathway to Discovery - A community of people interested in all things holistic. Here, you will find what you need; share what you know; discuss what you're not sure about. Create your own web site, participate in online forums (over 80 categories), peruse the Business Directory, publish your original articles, opinions, artwork, and so much more.