Even though it's easy to lapse into the trapped midset, I simply do not understand the concept of powerlessness or the idea that we have to remain in that mindset. Nor will I understand why people are so willing to, if not eager to defend it.

I'm all about accepting the fact that we can't change the actions of others.

But, we absolutely positively are not powerless in our actions. We have a choice in all things now, as adults.

I sometimes wonder if people confuse mindfulness and radical acceptance with a loss of power. It isn't.

It's accepting things the way they are now, but, make no mistake (1) that's a choice and (2) it doesn't mean it's always going to be that way.

We can help ourselves. Our abilities as humans are almost limitless to make our lives better.

It takes courage, an absolute rejection of the acceptance of being at someone's mercy (unless we chose it), and self-discipline. It also takes a willingness to problem solve. It's constant dialogue with ourselves challenging our current state and asking how it could be different. It's not giving up.

Even if we are clinically depressed or bipolar, those conditions do not have to control us.

We can be our own worst enemy, or our most fanatical advocate.

It's up to us.