I don’t know about you, but I am loving Clever Doc’s posts. Clever Doc is my friend and family member, Linda Hawes Clever. She is one smart lady with an MD and a specialty in occupational health. She started an organization called Renew, which you just might want to check out. Here is the ninth question she is posing to readers of OTBKB. If you  missed the others here they are.

Do You Laugh Enough?
Are You Still Learning?
How Angry Are You?
Do You Feel Trapped?
Do You Talk to People?
Are You Eating Right?
Are You Taking Risks?
Are You Refreshing Your Body and Spirit

Here is a question that gets surprising, even hilarious answers: What can you control? One woman backed down when she suggested, “Your children” and received a chorus of hoots. She revised her comment to, “Alright, alright, you can control where you place a two-month old.”

As much as we would like to, we can’t control the weather, our boss (or just about anybody else), traffic, or prices. We can certainly influence them and we should try to do so, but that’s not the same as control.

Realistically, we can control only ourselves. On a good day. If we’re healthy, well-slept, well-informed, well-nourished, and well-mentally, we can control our behavior, our attitude*, and our aspirations. ( Henry Ford said, “If you think you can or you think you can’t, you’re right.”)

Not every day is a good day, of course. A string of bad days may call for learning something new or may call for medical, spiritual, or financial help. But on a good day, and with allies and information, we can be in charge of our own bodies, spirits and attitudes. (How did you do on question: Are You Refreshing Your Body and Spirit?).

We are also in charge of our hopes and dreams. That is, our aspirations. Knowing them keeps us pointed forward.

9.  How often do consider your own aspirations when you make decisions?
Huh? (0 points)
Rarely (1 points)
Sometimes (2 points)
Frequently (3 points)
Always (4 points)