I agree with your first suggestion, at least in many cases. Coming to terms with your lack of control over the situation and accepting potential outcomes does free a person from worrying so that that they may instead make sense of what’s happening and become more cognizant of the opportunities being presented. It’s easy to get locked down in tunnel vision and become unable to see what opportunities are on the periphery or those that may come along if you learn to go with the flow. BUT, I’d also say there’s definitely a time and place to do your research or take a more proactive stance to better your circumstances.

Evoking the serenity prayer here, it seems to be about learning the difference between what we do and don’t have control over and then accepting this. To go completely off the topic(s) written above, I can see the downside of both extremes where some people fight a constant uphill battle in life and others flow downstream with any changing current, unconcerned about the possible outcomes and in some cases hindering their own progress by (naively or apathetically) becoming complicit pawns in someone else’s game. Perhaps there’s a time and a place for damn near every action and behavior.

I don’t accomplish much in the shower, but that’s just me. I could see how this might qualify as a place for meditation, which perhaps it is for you. Some turn to prayer, some to writing and bouncing topics off of others (like me), some to exercise or yoga. Anything that serves to calm you and provide time to think things through is worthwhile in my book.

When I hit a crossroads or need to make a decision in life, I’ve found two things that work for me. First, I have to give up. I know that’s exactly the opposite of what every book, friend, family member, teacher, etc. will tell you, but when I just give up worrying about something, the answer usually comes to me shortly there after. Second, take a bath or shower. Unlike my first suggestion, I’ve heard many people mention this as something that helps them work out problems. Many times I’ve been in the shower and an idea just came to me out of nowhere. Seems crazy, but it works. I’ve heard different scientific theories on why this works, but really who cares, it just works.