No matter how hard we try, we cannot control every aspect of every circumstance we find ourselves in.
How we deal with this lack of control will largely determine how happy we are from day to day.
The fact is that most of what happens in our lives is out of our hands.
We cannot predict the future.
Nor can we prevent the inevitable.
We can plan and prepare and it is a good idea to do so, but we have to keep in mind that we are mostly just guessing at what can or will happen.
Obviously, some guesses are more probable than others, but they are still guesses nonetheless.
No matter how intelligent, educated, or well informed we may be, unforeseen variables will always arise.
We will find ourselves lacking control.
This can be frustrating, upsetting, or discouraging, but, if we know and accept that this is simply part of the process, it will be less so.
Additionally, if we can learn to embrace this lack of control, we may even begin to enjoy the challenges it presents to us.
To be happy when everything is going our way is no great accomplishment after all.
To maintain a positive attitude when things begin to, or at least appear to, fall apart, on the other hand, that is worth smiling about.