It Is What It Is
It is what it is. That reality applies to all of life. Much we can change, but not everything.
It is what it is refers to a situation we can’t change.
We don’t like it, but we can’t undo what has been done, so we:
- Accept it
- Do the best we can
- Move on with our lives
We must deal with life as it comes.
When we can’t change it, we make the most of it. Yes, it is frustrating. Yes, it is hard. That’s life. We deal with it as it is.
A simple example: What do we do with a stump? The tree is gone. Do we:
- Do nothing and leave the stump where it is?
- Dig it up and fill the hole with dirt?
- Try to make it beautiful?
Tree carvers turn stumps into works of art. Most of us don’t have that skill. My family’s solution: We let honeysuckle cover the stump. Honeysuckle is a weed, but we love its blooms.
Our stump is still a stump, but we chose to make the best of a bad situation.
Before I took the honeysuckle picture, a deer ate most of its blooms. I was disappointed, but it is what it is. I took the picture anyway.
Occasionally, it is what it is becomes an excuse to do nothing.
Although hard, most difficulties are not impossible. We simply don’t want to deal with them.
Let’s use this expression to motivate, not to excuse.
Make the most of life as it is.
“Let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds” (Hebrews 10:24 NIV).
Thanks to Karen Atwood for the suggestion. First image by Kai from Pixabay.
Do you have an expression you want explained or a thought about this one? If so, please comment below.
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11 thoughts on “It Is What It Is”
Another great post Ms. Diana. Do you know the military’s version of this phrase? I’ll have to share it with you sometime if not. God’s blessings.
Thank you, J.D. I don’t think I know the military’s version. If so, I never made a connection. Blessings on you and yours.
Good discussion, Diana. Thanks and God bless!
Thank you for the kind words and blessings, Nancy. I hope you have a day beyond anything you could have hoped.
This is a familiar saying. Sometimes when people give up on things, they say, “It is what it is.” However, I am thankful that we don’t have to give up. We can go to the Father and rest in His plan. Have a blessed day! 🙂
Amen, Melissa. Perfectly said. Thank you. Blessings on your day.
I don’t mind using the cliche. It expresses a situation simply -in five words. Often, that’s all that’s needed.
So true, Catherine. Thank you. Many times, less is best.
I’d never heard this saying before my son began to use it a lot. It does fit the situation sometimes–allows us recognize that some circumstances cannot be fixed and we need to accept that. Honeysuckle smells so sweet but my allergies don’t like it. I wish my deer would eat it instead of my flowers! Enjoyed you message.
Thank you, Katherine. I expected the deer to eat my hydrangea, but it chose honeysuckle. I’m thankful for that choice. Have a wonderful week.