One lesson that it takes many of us a long time to grasp is that there is only one thing we can control – our response to circumstances.

We may very well choose the circumstances into which we are born, with the intention of experiencing our lessons in a particular setting, but once we’re in the system, we come to learn that the system runs according to its own rules or laws.

Every time we make a choice, we find ourselves facing unintended consequences, as none of us fully understands the way things work here.

Climate change is our latest collective lesson in unintended consequences. We made a choice, based on our understanding at the time, to burn fossil fuels. Now we know what happens when we do that and can respond accordingly.

We also learn through our individual lessons in unintended consequences.

Initially, we believe that all answers are outside of us, which is why we try to control the circumstances of our lives and the people we live and work with.

We don’t actually make any progress until we realize that all the answers lie within.

It’s only then that we start to examine our beliefs, and all the thought patterns embedded within our subconscious mind, that have been driving our behaviors.

It’s only then that we realize our controlling behaviors have been destroying our relationships, and that our distorted beliefs about reality have been turning heaven into hell.

It’s only then that we come to understand that we can change our minds and see things differently.