We can either accept that there are things in our life we cannot change, and there are things in life we can. Many people know what needs to be done to change a situation but for reasons sometimes known only to them they procrastinate doing the things that can change their situation and improve it. Francis of Assisi once asked for the "Courage to change the things that can be changed and to accept the things that can't be changed and the ability to tell the difference." Sometimes when things are happening in our life we can't change, we need to deal with them by accepting them and learning to live with them with patience and not just surviving but thriving as we accept them. The prayer of Francis asked for the ability to tell the difference between the things we can change and the things we can't change and for many people this is the first step towards finding the solution to a bad situation. We need to ask if the situation can change and if it can, what practical steps do we need to take to bring about the change. Having determined the answer to that question we need to put steps into place to help us make the change, and the counselor may be able to help us give us advice in the best way to make the change. If we decide the change can't be made, we need to try to see the situation in the bigger picture so we don't focus on it.