With each new year, we wonder about the future. We hope for joy, health, love, prosperity, and peace. We worry about expenses, illness, conflicts, and external stressors. What lies ahead is unknown. Life is a puzzle that could bring positive or negative events. Do I accept unpleasant situations? Or try to change them? Will my actions be effective? There are no simple answers, so many variables. But beliefs affect our response. One viewpoint is fatalistic. Individuals feel powerless to change anything, believing events are inevitable, leading to depression, anxiety, and inaction. Conversely, the psychological principle of agency describes ability to make intentional choices, control one’s actions, and influence outcomes. Agents proactively make things happen instead of passively watching things happen. Dolly Parton proposes: “We cannot just hope for a brighter future, we have to work for a brighter future. Love too often gets buried in a world of hurt and fear.”
During graduate school, we studied locus of control. “Locus” is Latin for location. Is our life controlled by us (internally) or others (externally)? Psychology Today explains–“someone with an internal locus of control will believe that the things that happen to them are greatly influenced by their own abilities, actions, or mistakes. A person with an external locus of control will tend to feel that other forces—such as random chance, environmental factors, or the actions of others—are more responsible for the events that occur in the individual’s life.” Per Dr. Jill P. Weber, to develop a stronger internal locus of control, notice if you feel like a victim, blaming other people for your hardships or negative feelings. Try not to succumb to the belief you are helpless. Focus upon what you can control—and let go of the rest.
We can affect outcomes, small and large. But use energy wisely, focusing on actions where success is more likely. Some things are uncontrollable, but we can choose our response. Peaceful acceptance is possible. We can avoid people or situations. We can change our attitude. Healthy hobbies renew our strength. Spiritual resources develop character strengths like patience during suffering. For religious people, prayer helps release distressing situations, trusting they will resolve without our intervention. Theologian Reinhold Niebuhr prayed: “God grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change, the courage to change the things I can, and the wisdom to know the difference.”
Faith also provides strength to act in difficult situations. Christian scripture says in Philippians 4:13, “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.” Moral convictions inspire people to seek changes. In Romans 12:21, we read: “Do not be overcome by evil but overcome evil with good.” Susan B. Anthony’s Quaker beliefs motivated her fight to abolish slavery and grant women voting rights. Gandhi’s Hindu/Jain upbringing guided non-violent protest of British colonial rule, promoting Indian independence. Recently, Pope Leo XIV said concerning immigration, “we have to look for ways of treating people humanely….” Rabbi Lord Jonathan Sacks wrote that, coming from different faiths, “if we are each free to light our own flame, together we can banish some of the darkness in the world.” Current leaders from different faiths protested mistreatment of immigrants and were arrested at Chicago’s ICE processing center.
Nationally, many people feel their voice does not matter. In the last U.S. election, census.gov reported 236 million people were eligible to register to vote. Only 174 million registered. and 154 million voted. So, 82 million people who could have voted, did not. Global Citizen.org, reported one reason: “They didn’t believe their vote would make a difference.” Jane Goodall said, “the greatest danger to our future is apathy.” We must believe we can shape our communities. Issues in our cities, states, and country affect us. We can improve our emotional and mental health by positively influencing current policies. Leadership consultant Margaret Wheatley observes, “there is no power greater for change than a community discovering what it cares about.”
Answering the question, “Who is in control?” Clearly, “we are!” One voice has impact. Joining forces has greater impact. Margaret Mead exhorted, “Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world—indeed, it is the only thing that ever has.” Philanthropist Melinda Gates challenges us: “The world is full of what seem like intractable problems. Often, we let that paralyze us. Instead, let it spur you to action.”
