There are no guarantees in life. Just because you put yourself out there, doesn’t mean you’ll get a positive response. Just because you work on being kinder, more patient and compassionate to yourself and others, doesn’t mean you’ll get the favor returned. The thought can leave a lot of us depressed. But here’s where hope comes in.

Yes, you can only control so many things in your life. But within that seemingly limited space there’s tremendous room for self-control. Take your interactions with others, for example. You might not be able to control the way a parent negates your accomplishments, but you can choose to spend less time with them. You can’t force a family member to see your point of view, but you can lower your expectations for your relationship.

It’s all about making a conscious decision to do your part and let go. It’s the theme of this week’s posts. Whether you’re attempting to lose weight, be more creative, stress less over material possessions or keep your private practice in check, they’re about focusing attention on your own issues. We often spend too much time agonizing over what other people think, say, or believe about us. But as 2012 nears the end, it’s high time we take back control of our own lives. Maybe it’s about deciding to be healthier, avoid unnecessary spending by recycling and deleting all those holiday ads, or venting about your private life in-person instead of online.

It all comes down to a single choice: Will you make it about you or them?

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