Day of lists.

So, I'm in the choral group Northern Kingdom. Tonight we are singing for a revival at a local Nazarene church. We are only singing one song, and the song happens to be the one in which I have extensive solo-age. This makes me extremely anxious. I don't do solos. Haven't (with one other Northern Kingdom exception) since elementary school.

I asked a friend of mine for advice on how to battle anxiety, and she suggested (among other things) listing those things over which I do and do not have control.

I cannot control:

1. Whether or not my friends feel the need to lie to me in order to protect me.
2. What anyone else on this planet wants or desires.
3. What happens tonight at revival.
4. What other people perceive as honesty.
5. Whether or not people around can be responsible enough to ask for what they need.
6. Whether or not people blame ME for their own inability to ask for what they need.
7. Whether or not people choose to like me.
8. The price of tea in China.
9. Opinions of me in general.
10. Much at all.

I can control:

1. Whether or not I am honest.
2. How I express my own needs, wants, or desires.
3. My opinions of others.
4. Whether or not I choose to believe what my friends tell me.
5. Whether or not I trust the Lord.
6. Whether or not I purchase tea.
7. Whether or not I take responsibility for my own unhealthiness or my own inability to express myself or my needs.
8. Whether or not I do the work I'm supposed to be doing right now... oops.

Wow. Friend was right. I do feel better.