Who is in Control and in Charge?

 

In one of my morning meditations today, I was struck by Rita Mae Brown's quote:  "A controller doesn’t trust his/her ability to live through the pain and chaos of life. There is no life without pain just as there is no art without submitting to chaos."

      My first thought was, "What, me?" I always allow things to happen without hovering over the components of people, places, and things.

     Then I compared my actions to the words in the Book of Alcoholics Anonymous, Chapter 5, How It Works: "Each person is like an actor who wants to run the whole show; is forever trying to arrange the lights, the ballet, the scenery and the rest of the players in his own way." Almost daily, I fit this description.

So, what are the changes needed to truly let go?  Philosophy offers profound insights into releasing control:

     “When I let go of what I am, I become what I might be.” – Lao Tzu

     “Flow with whatever may happen, and let your mind be free. Stay centered by accepting whatever you are doing.” – Tao Te Ching

     “Give yourself a gift: the present moment. People try to get away from it, but there is nowhere to go. The universe is a river, and you must let yourself flow with it.” – Marcus Aurelius, Meditations

Faith traditions echo the same call to surrender and trust:

     “Give up yourself, and you will find your real self. Lose your life and you will save it. Submit to death—death of your ambitions and favorite wishes every day—and death of your whole body in the end: submit with every fiber of your being, and you will find eternal life.” – C.S. Lewis, Mere Christianity

     "Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God. And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus." – Philippians 4:6-7

     "But behold, all things have been done in the wisdom of him who knoweth all things." – 2 Nephi 2:24

     "Let us trust Him. Let us put our faith in Him. Let us surrender our doubts, our fears, and our sins. Let us turn our hearts completely toward Him." – Elder Dieter F. Uchtdorf

The Path to Letting Go

Letting go is not about passivity; it is about surrendering the illusion of control and embracing trust—trust in the process, in God, in the wisdom of life itself. It requires mindfulness, faith, and the willingness to flow rather than force. By relinquishing control, we open ourselves to greater peace, clarity, and the divine guidance that has been present all along.

Who is in control? If we let go, we may find that the One who knows all things is—and always has been—guiding us.