You hear the phrase spoken “The world is out of control”. Can we really control our world?

I will start that discussion with the two extremes in life; the birth and death of a person. A cursory look reveals we cannot control the day we are born or die? This is of course assuming a natural birth and death, early birth by Cesarean and suicide discounted, we do not control our entry and exit from this life. If we have little to no control over the big events in our lives, what do we control?

Life appears to be a battle for control. Laws are written to protect humans from unfair treatment. Yet, with every law that is written we find another imposition on our bid to control our lives. I am not arguing against laws that protect people but with everything that is given something is bound to be lost. When we herald to others our country is the land of the free, we know in the back of our minds that freedom is a loose term. You have control over your speech right up to the point the law allows it. Maybe in today’s politically charged environment your “Freedom of Speech” is more regulated than you think? Maybe the political system is like many others systems vying to control more of your life?

Our world craves conformity; it is the ultimate means of control. I have said for years that most of our training in our childhood years are forms of indoctrination. Manners to some degree is a form of indoctrination. I believe we teach good behavior and responsibility and it is not only warranted but needed. Yet, do you ever stop to wonder who set the social, behavioral and political norms? I will leave religion out of this which can be a whole other area bidding for control. We have bosses and organizations which we work for that set “guidelines” for our behaviors while at work. You go to the airport and of course this is a whole other form of control. I cannot bring shaving cream if the container is above a certain size. I think you get my point. What do we really control in our lives?

We live our lives metaphorically in a fenced back yard. If you stay within the confines of the fenced area and obey the rules you will have no problem, stray from the confines of the fenced area and you might be in crisis. The bid for control is not to physically change things but it is for thought control. It matters little if you are a conservative or liberal, religious or agnostic the people that try to control you are more concerned with the way you think. Control a person’s thoughts and you will control the person entirely. I will not bore you with the many examples we have throughout history of despots and tyrants that tried to control the thoughts of an entire society.

Maybe in the end the only thing we really have control over is our thoughts. Are you open to dialog with others of opposing opinions? Do you ever entertain you might not be 100% right on a subject, even if that subject part of your critical thinking? I cannot tell you how to think, nor would I want to. This articles purpose is to encourage you to listen more, then to think at length and finally to act. Some of the best ideas in our world have never been heard yet. Do not try to control them when they are finally revealed.