Life isn't your enemy, but your thinking can be

At times, it can seem like life is our enemy, as if things never quite pan out the way we would like them to, as if there’s a secret conspiracy against us. However, it’s critical to remember that, in reality, life isn’t our enemy. There is no conspiracy. Life is just life. It is what it is. The factor that can make life seem like our enemy, however, is our thinking.
   
As obvious as this insight may seem, the implications are enormous. The truth is, life isn’t going to accommodate any of us by giving us fewer demands, less traffic, people who are easier to get along with, or a smoother path toward success. If we want a different experience of life, a more peaceful outlook, we are the ones who must change.
   
If you’re angry, you’re the one having angry thoughts. If you’re stressed, you’re the one having stressful thoughts. If you’re feeling sorry for yourself, again, you’re the one having thoughts of self-pity. The good news, of course, is that while you can’t alter life very often to suit your needs, you do have a fair measure of control over your own thinking. You can change the way you think, and you can change your reactions to life. It’s entirely up to you. You can go on hating the many inconvenient aspects of life or you can relax and commit to changing your reactions to them.
   
It’s very helpful to remind yourself (daily) that your life isn’t your enemy. While you’re at it, remind yourself of the tremendous power of your own thinking that your world is shaped by those thoughts you choose to focus on the most.