I know someone who dislikes that statement..."It is what it is". To her it connotes giving up-accepting that the situation is hopeless. I see that statement differently.
I just lost my job- it is what it is. We didn't get the contract. It is what it is. Someone I trusted has betrayed me. It is what it is. My 16 year old dog passed. It is what it is. I failed a test, I missed the bus, my car broke down, its raining on the day I wanted to -, bad thing bad thing bad thing...it is what it is.
And what I mean by that is at this moment, in this second, in this specific point in time-this IS the situation. It is what it is. I cannot at this moment change what has happened. I cannot change that my job is gone, I cannot change that my feelings have been hurt. I cannot change that my dog is no longer here, or that the bus is a mile down the road, or that the sun did not come out today. I can do nothing in this second in time to turn around the event that just occurred. It is what it is.
And in using that statement, I give myself a moment to: take a deep breath, gather my thoughts, restrain my knee-jerk emotional response...I tell you, in that statement, that I cannot comment right this second. That I need a minute to consider this situation. That I am ok...just give me a bit of space to...
follow up with the unspoken statement that is this: Where do I go from here??? Better yet, "God, where will you lead me from here? God I am hurting. Father, I am afraid. God I am angry. And in all of this I don't want to sin...so God, what do I do???" (and I will admit that I sometimes sin in my anger and hurt anyway--- I am human--- I say ugly things and think ugly things - believe me- I am faaaaaaaaar from perfect- or even good)
So when I say, it is what it is, I am not accepting defeat. I am not saying that hurting me is fine, or missing class is great, or that the bill for a car repair is not freaking me out. I am not saying any of that. I am merely saying- it is what it is. Its not that bad. I have so much. I am so blessed. My Father shall supply all my needs...And now I will look to Him for guidance.
Today has been an "it is what it is" day. And I used the phrase...and it kept me from reacting too badly- and it gave me a minute to take the hurt and disappointment and frustration and put it where it belongs so that I can be led where I need to be.
So when those situations come my way- and I say the phrase, its not because its hopeless or I am defeated by life...I'm just sayin' it is what it is- and lets find a way (with His guidance) to move on.
There, I'm done. Eh, it is what it is.
(and no, the events above didn't necessarily happen to me - today at any rate-)
