I have been flying on planes for years and only recently figured out why I am constantly sick for the days following my plane flight. For years, I would look stay alert in flight, directing my attention to what is happening around me and staring out the windows to assess my location. Because of my fear of flight, I was a nervous wreck. I constantly fed my need for control. But recently on a longer flight across the country, I tried something different. I slept the whole flight. I stopped looking everywhere. Put simply, I released my control. And you know what happened? I actually enjoyed flying and my head was clear. No post-flight sickness. I was fluid, calm and energized following my flight.

This realization was a great insight into how many of us approach life. We attempt to control all the unknown variables around us to protect ourselves. Because of it, you might be tense, clenching and just plain tired. If you just allow yourself to accept the reality that you cannot control everything and shouldn’t try, you release the grip ever so slightly and begin to enjoy life just a little bit more.

Maybe you’ll stop trying to control the people closest to you, trying to predict the leadership discussions being had behind closed doors at work, you stop trying to become the richest person in America. And you know what? You just might enjoy life. Our need for control often gets in the way of breakthrough.

🧠 What opportunity for growth, peace, or breakthrough might you be missing because you are too focused on controlling the outcome?

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