By Jude Huck-Reymond

I am fortunate enough to be aware of this challenge I am facing in my life that has to do with the range of control I have over the Universe. I am realizing that all too often I have been projecting my own perspective, intentions, and goals onto others. In every single instance, I am faced with a weaker connection with that individual. I am working through this belief that I need to be in control over the Universe. I have such amazing and insane ambitions that I can easily lose sight of what I am in control of. In this piece, I will discuss exactly the extent of my control in a precise, mathematical way.

The Topological View of Control

For those unaware, topology includes the study of sets of elements that make up theoretical collections. In set theory, there are classes of sets called “open” and “closed”. In general, the compliment of every open set is closed, and conversely, the compliment of every closed set is open.

The control I have in this Universe can be considered a closed set of the particles that make up my body, mind, and energy. There is a closed boundary line around my body that is exactly the extent of what matter I have direct control over.

Now, the complement of the closed set that is my body, is the open set that is the Universe surrounding us. In an open set, there exist elements that can exist infinitely close to the boundaries they exist in, however, the elements shall never cross this hard boundary of the closed set.

Based on this description, there are particles that exist infinitely close to my skin that I may often confuse for a part of me. Likewise, there may be people in my life that I connect with so intimately, that I may confuse that person for something that I have control over. But these elements in our Universe exist in the open compliment of my body, and the idea that I have control over anything outside of this hard boundary that is my body is merely confusion.

Control and Effect

Now it is necessary to distinguish the differences between control and effect. While I can never have control over anything other than myself as described above, I can have impactful effects on everything around me. I may use a hammer to drive in a nail and I may believe I have control over the hammer. But in reality, I am using the control I have over my body, to affect the hammer in such a way that it drives in the nail.

When it comes to people in my life, every single action I take has a non-zero effect on the people around me. I may say a few kind words to a stranger such as “have a great day” and there exists a whole spectrum of effects that it may have on them. In more serious situations, I use more impactful words in hopes of having a deeper effect on the person. Rarely, I may cuss to convey strong emotion or raise my voice or change my tone to be more precise in the spectrum of effect my words may have on others. Throughout all of my actions, I still only remain in control of my own body.

I am also in control of the effect that others can have on me. When someone cusses me out or raises their voice, I can give in to the control they are trying to project onto me. However, I can also decide to be present and respond in a way that I actually mean and want to enact.

The Challenge

We have arrived at the most challenging aspect of control. The ability to control your actions despite every reason to give in to the control that others may be trying to project onto you. They may be confused that they have control over things or people that they don’t. I may be confused about the control that they have over me. In reality, the topology of control remains sturdy. Each conscious being has exactly the amount of control we need to keep ourselves alive and joyful, and nothing more. We are all closed sets contained in the open set that is our Universe.

Motivations

I strive to learn from my challenges every single day, and this one has been particularly relevant to my life recently. If you find yourself stuck in the challenge of control, I hope this piece offers you some reason, hope, and perspective. I encourage you to make me aware of any way I can improve my thoughts, and I hope this gives you an exciting vision of the future.