How controlling are you?

There's a problem with the word "control". It's recently gone bad. When we say controlling people, what we really mean is those who meddle in the affairs of others, just a few steps behind that most undesirable of social phenomena, the control freak. And controlled people? Aloof and uptight. It's a bad word from any angle.

This is muddled and wrong.

Have a read of these 7 ways of eliminating emotional clutter, over at Dumb Little Man. Wise words, you'll agree. And what's the common factor in every suggestion? It's control. Meditation. Organizing thoughts. Conserving energy. Prioritizing. Eating right. Careful, thoughtful, controlled behavior.

An eco-friendly lifestyle is also about control. You're making principled choices about the things you believe in - sorting through the deluge of opportunities called Modern Life for the things that will make a difference. Steering towards a greener You.

Some might yawn. When you've got everything planned out, where's the spontaneity and room to relax? The answer is it's anywhere you want it to be. If you're working to a plan, and it's your plan, you can change it anytime you wish. And relaxation? What's more relaxing than knowing you've taken care of everything important for the moment?

That's why I write lists and notes and scribble over calendars. (I even have a list of my lists). Control freak? Maybe. But I don't care.

Because I have a plan.

Image: rick