if you know me personally, chances are you've heard me say this in response to some story or information about people being weird or stupid or the weather being to hot or the flux in the economy or the presidential election. it's a response that fits just about anywhere.
just the other day i heard a friend of mine use this phrase in conversation and it really made me think about what it means to me.
it is what it is....
in a nut shell, it means....you can't control anything in life...but you. you can't regulate other people's emotions or reactions....feelings or responses. you can however control how you respond. stick with me for a second...
reality is, life is messy sometimes. things don't always happen as we plan or predict. sometimes it's better then we hoped and sometimes it's worse. life is uncertain. in those times when things aren't coming up roses, we can do one of two things....we can sulk, withdraw, pout (sharon says i'm good at that one), lash out...i'm sure you can come up with more on your own....or....as a wise women once told me....you can accept it, acknowledge it and move on. often, easier said than done i know...but believe me...way more beneficial at the end of the day.
so be encouraged...stop and smell the roses...weather they're coming up or not. don't miss out on life. love. it is what it is. how will you respond?
less of me...
10 comments:
I tend to say this a lot too, although I don't think I'm the one you heard say it. I mostly tend to apply it relationally, and sometimes to football... Then again for me football sometimes feels like a relationship... sigh...
:)
i've used that phrase...
hmm.
btw... another change in the look? you should migrate to wordpress.
:)
I always thought that "it is what it is" was a polite way to say "whatever!". It has found its way into cultures language in the past few years and I seem to hear it almost everyday. Almost as much as I hear, "like" and "you know" and "I don't know"... Man, we say these phrases a lot without thinking about what they mean. You provide an interesting context to the meaning of "it is what it is". I can honestly say that I don't like the saying, but I have been known to say it from time to time... I will certainly think about it next time I hear it or say it.
On a related note:
I was in the post office the other day and the woman behind the counter asked the man next to me how he was doing... The man responded "I could definitely be better" - The woman looked him up and down and said "well, you could be worse". He stopped and said aloud, "you know, you're right, I could be worse... Thanks!"
Just a little perspective shift may be all we need. Sometimes we can help to 'regulate other people's emotions or reactions' by a simple word of encouragement or the mere mention of the obvious.
Yeah...
When life hands you lemons what do you do? I usually hold them and toss them around till I finally realize I can make lemonade!
I'm far too goofy today for serious comments...
Remember as a child, when your parents would remind you about "the starving children in Africa"?
That didn't work so well then... but, now It does help. Counting my blessing and focusing outward, does help to make my struggles manageable.
Good Stuff!
I like the new look... will it stay?
indeed, indeed. i have come to realise when we "question" what is we are actually questioning God (the creator of all life) and i am not into that anymore.
i have actually started to simply say...."God, i don't get this but i know i don't need to- simply, thanks that you are with me always".
sounds simple..but is it?
from bron (in chicago!!)
Amen brother!
There's a pastor I know that would say, "That'll preach brutha! Stay right theya. That'll preach!"
Like the new look! I think I have already shared this with you J, that this is my all time favorite saying of yours... I use it too. All because of you... I also use that "wise womans" quote too.
My second fav would be "I know what side her bread is buttered." Although no one really knows what this means it just sounded perfect! HA! HA!
Yeah... you're right. I'm with you on this one. That's a phrase that would have really irritated me in my younger years. But the older I get, the more I find freedom in just that. "It is what it is." It just is.
If we truly believe that God is sovereign and that nothing happens accidentally, saying this is just the recognition of what He is actively doing or allowing - for Hos glory and our benefit.
Whoa! Steve! Did you say "for Hos glory?" You really should take it easy on your "vallejo" slang! Hee! Hee!
(I couldn't resist! sorry...)
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