The Things We Can Control Poem by Jim Yerman

So many things in life are out of our control
We don't control the sun, the moon, , the stars, the wind…the rain
We don't control those moments when our heart fills up with pain.

Perhaps then while we're alive it should be our goal
to do the best that we can do….with the things we can control.

We cannot control our past…and the future's not always in our hands…
but we can control how we treat the animals…and how we treat the land.

We can control how we treat others…if we are unkind or humane
We can control if we cause another person's happiness…or pain.

If we make treating the animals,
the land around us
and people
with compassion as our goal….
It becomes much easier to accept those things that are out of our control.

For they will be there to support us through the uncontrollable winds and rain
and they will be there when we need them most…when our hearts fill up with pain.