It Is What It Is or Is It?
What is is, but that doesn't mean it's what has to be.
“It is what it is.” Has anyone else noticed the popularity of this phrase in recent years? Perhaps in this era of big fears we feel swept along by forces we cannot control. It’s become almost mantric for some people.
On the surface, this statement seems to be highly pragmatic and even a little bit wise. But, I wonder. When you look deeper it’s an expression of resignation, surrender.
I’ve been paying special attention to when people use this phrase. They tend to use it in situations where they feel they have no control and have resigned themselves to an outcome. There is a subtext, “I’m powerless to change the situation,” but what comes out is, “It is what it is.”
Certainly there are things in life – despite our positive thoughts and motivated action – that we cannot change. I cannot make Monday Friday. I cannot be 10 years old again. However, we can’t allow the times, our circumstances, or other people to convince us that the realm of things over which we lack control is large. We are powerful beings with powerful minds and we can control far more of our individual and collective destiny than we’ve been taught.
“It is what it is” is actually an affirmation – even a meditation – on our powerlessness. If we choose to buy into that mindset and inhabit that space, that is what will expand in our lives. Everything will become only what it is instead of what it can be. We will see ourselves as helpless entities acted on by massive forces rather than as the amazing and powerful beings that we are.
Words have enormous power. Choose the ones you say to yourself and to others wisely.
Stay inspired!
Ray
2019 Affirmation
“This year I am absolutely committed to being the person I came to the planet to be!”