Tips for Letting Go of High Expectations

Setting intentions for letting go of control in our life is very helpful.  A key one for me is  “moderate my expectations.”   Unrealistic expectations  propel us to try to control vital aspects of our lives such as family, intimate relations, friendships,  and work affairs, often leading to disappointment and resentment.

It is Important to Moderate our Expectations

While it is important to form clear intentions, it is equally important that we pursue them in a realistic manner.  Once we start expecting too much or too soon, we start pressing, pressuring, resisting and the like, and that disrupts the natural flow of events (“life’s natural currents”) that are the best means of fulfilling our intentions.

My High Tennis Expectations Set Me Back!

An intention I formed last fall was to faire better in seniors tennis tournaments.   I thus began taking lessons and playing more often.   I made good progress and became very excited—and my expectations soared.  Maybe, I thought, I could even start winning some tournaments.   I decided to enter two major January tournaments in the Palm Springs area.

Then, three weeks ago, I injured my back because I continued playing after my back muscles tightened from serving too hard.   After chiropractic treatments for two weeks, I felt better, but still had a lot of discomfort and had to withdraw from the first tournament.    I was disheartened and even depressed.

I soon realized that my maintaining such high expectations had undermined by tennis intentions.   I reflected on how I could moderate my expectations to make them more realistic.   Below are some of the ways that I found very helpful in moderating my tennis expectations–and which I believe will improve my chances of fulfilling my tennis desires.

Tips for Moderating High Expectations

*Don’t press to make your intentions happen. Let them happen organically–plant the seeds, if you will, and water them throughout the year, being careful not to “flood” them.   In my case, I pressed too hard and was injured.

*Don’t strive for perfection.   This invariably leads to disappointment, frustration, and resentment.   Consequently, don’t set the bar too high.   I clearly set my tennis bar too high, setting myself up for disappointment.

*Accept setbacks.   Don’t expect linear progress.  It likely took many years to form the habits and patterns that you wish to change, and as such, most are deeply ingrained.    Hence, accept that there will likely be relapses along the way and don’t be discouraged.

*Be grateful for partial successes. Honor and appreciate partial successes in fulfilling your intentions.   Small steps lead to larger ones.

My Revised Expectations and Intentions

This Sunday I play in the largest seniors tournament in the United States and my opponent is the 5th best player in the nation in my age division.    Here are my expectations/intentions with respect to the tournament.

1.   To enjoy the experience and be grateful for the opportunity to learn from playing against a top-notch player.

2.   To try to incorporate what I have learned in my lessons.

3.  And, to enjoy the beautiful desert scenery, meet new friends–and have a lot of fun!

In the meantime, remember to

Let It Go–and Accept “What Is!”

Danny

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Intentions For Letting Go of Control

The beginning of the year is an ideal time to form your intentions for letting go of control.   Such intentions are a simple, yet highly effective way in which to remove the urge to want to control people and things.   Here are a few intentions that I have found very effective:

I intend to:

“Listen attentively to others without offering advice”
“Allow others the consequences of their choices”

“Accept life as it is and focus on what it is within my power to do”

“Face my fears”

“Trust that I will be able to take care of myself”

“Embrace and process my discomforts”

“Accept that what may work well for me may not work for others”

“Let go of the things that I can not realistically change or influence”

“Moderate my expectations”

“Say the Serenity Prayer each morning”

And,

“Repeat my intentions at least once a week throughout the year!”

Please share some of your intentions with me and others by commenting below.

In the meantime, remember to,

Let It Go–and Accept “What Is!”

Danny

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Tips for Letting Go of Stress During the Holidays

The holiday season is a time of great stress and anxiety for most people.   We are forced to plod through heavy traffic, wade through crowded stores with too few sales clerks, incur unwanted financial burdens, and attend family gatherings fraught with unresolved issues and conflicts amongst members.

Thus, it comes as no surprise when we repeatedly hear the proverbial, “I just dread the holidays.”

I have a solution for much of your holiday anxiety:  Let Go of Control!

If you do, you will enjoy the holidays much more—or at least dread them much less!  If you are wondering how control impacts enjoyment of the holidays, let me explain.  Holiday pressures exacerbate our tendency to rush, to press, to resist, to direct, to expect, and to criticize—all tension-creating control devices.

Wouldn’t you enjoy yourself much more if you were able to take it easy and feel everything would work out okay?

You can—by letting go of control.  Here’s how.

Holiday Decontrol Tips

1.  Lower Your Expectations. Try not to expect too much of others, especially family.  As I’ve cautioned in prior posts, high expectations often lead to disappointment and resentment–and harmful control actions.  It is much better to have little or no expectations of how people will be or act.  (after all, they’re likely feeling holiday pressures themselves).  And don’t assume or anticipate conflict or discord with others based on past history and experiences.

For example, if you are concerned about sitting at the same table with your wayward brother or sister at a Chanukah or Christmas dinner, don’t make any assumptions—good or bad—about what might happen; instead, trust that you will be able to disengage (i.e., let go) from any problem that might occur, and enjoy other parts of the reunion.

2.  Be Patient. Allow holiday “currents” to progress and evolve naturally, rather than pressing for resolutions.  Life is always in a constant state of motion—shifting and ebbing and flowing—even more so during the holiday rush.  Focus on being calm and grounded, and wait for the currents to flow your way.   Then engage them intuitively, rather than forcefully.  To better do this, plan some alone time for yourself each day, whether to meditate, journal, take a short walk, or just do something fun.

3. Keep Things Simple. Don’t complicate things by over planning and over thinking.  Also, don’t fret about all the “what ifs” and “what could happens.”  Worrying only plants the seeds for those things to happen!  Instead, trust that things will work out as they were intended.  By keeping things simple you will save considerable time and energy, and reduce stress and tension for yourself and those around you.

4.  Address and process your “Personal Truths.”  Addressing our unwanted feelings is a critical component of reducing the compulsion to control.  I devote an entire chapter on the subject (Embracing Your Personal Truths) in  Losing Control, Finding Serenity.

In simple terms, it is important to identify and process the negative feelings that compel us to control, such as fear, anger, anxiety, insecurity and the like.

For example, if you are feeling  anxious because of all the things you feel you need (or want) to do, rather than forging “past” your anxiety, take a few minutes to get in touch with it.  Start by trying to feel it internally, even physically.  Take some slow, deep breaths and really tap in to it.  “Embrace” it, if you will.   Also ask yourself how important is it that everything gets done “right now?” What terrible things might happen if you don’t?   The truth of the matter is that most things are not as important as we imagine or project them to be.

Though it may sound counterintuitive, so acknowledging and processing your stress and anxiety will lessen their “grip” over you.

If you try these “decontrol” tips I am confident you will experience greater enjoyment of the holiday season.   You might even look forward to them!

In closing, I would like to wish you a very peaceful holiday season.   And remember to,

Let It Go–and Accept “What Is!”

Danny

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Three Key Ways to Improve Your Close Relationships

 

In these frantic, unpredictable and financially volatile times, the need for close, supportive bonds with family, friends and loved ones becomes more important than ever.    It provides us with a much needed emotional anchor.

Ironically, the very causes that create the need for closeness, also provoke us to engage in the types of behavior that push people away—specifically, fear and anger generated controlling actions like pressuring, advising, insisting, manipulating and the like.

For example, telling our friends what we think is best for them, even if well intended, is very off putting.   Voicing our opinions too strongly or too often with our children repels them.    Constantly complaining to our partners about their annoying habits invites anger and resentment–after all, who likes being told how to be and act in matters of the heart?

In short, when we try to change or control others, particularly those closest to us, it creates dissension and resentment, which destroy the very things that are needed for intimacy–trust, openness, and acceptance.

I explore these complex issues in depth in Losing Control, Finding Serenity: How the Need to Control Hurts Us and How to Let It Go, but for now consider these three highly effective non-controlling ways that will significantly improve your close relationships.

1. Focus on peoples’ positive qualities. Instead of complaining about or trying to change another’s annoying habits and traits, focus on what you like and appreciate about them.   Thus, if a good friend sometimes does certain things that drive you “nuts,” remember why she is a good friend and what you like about her.   Is he someone who you can look to in times of need?   Is she trustworthy?   Do you have good times together?

2. Listen Attentively. Many of us don’t fully  “hear” what our friends and loved ones wish to share with us.  We too often interrupt them, interject our advice and tell them what we think is good for them.

Many times people just need to vent and get things off their chest.  They usually are not looking for advice, or will let you know if they want it.

Attentive listening—meaning focused listening without speaking, advising or opining—is a powerful healing tool; one that brings people closer together and enhances relationships.

In particular, I have found that listening to my children in this manner allows them to open up and gain the confidence and self-reliance that comes from working through their own issues.

3.  Don’t Expect Too Much of Others. When we expect too much from our friends and loved ones it leads to the type of controlling behavior that invariably results in disappointment and resentment on both sides.  It unfairly puts too much pressure and responsibility on the other person to “perform.”

Hence, don’t look to your mate to fulfill your needs; only you can truly do that.   Make sure that your expectations of your children are realistic and reasonable.   It is important that your concerns be about them and not you (i.e., your ego, social standing and the like).

In trying to moderate your expectations, it’s helpful to ask yourself, “how important is it really?” or “what’s truly at stake?” Most of the time, not much.

I encourage you to try these fundamental decontrol tools.  I am confident they will improve your relations with friends, family and loved ones.

In the meantime, remember to,

Let It Go–and Accept “What Is!”

Danny

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Writing Love Poems by Letting Go of Control

For me, composing poems encompasses letting go of control, particularly in the sense of not overthinking and overanalyzing them.

I begin with my intention and then jot down words and phrases that evoke that intention, not really concerning myself where they may eventually fit, or whether I will even use them.

I then put these short sketches away—literally and mentally—sometimes for several months.   When I later take a fresh look at them, I usually revise and expand them.   As this process continues, I am careful not to presss for completion.  I trust that the right words and structure will be revealed in due course.

The process is very much akin to planting a seed (of thought or intention), watering it from time to time, and letting it bloom in its own time and way.

The following love poem written in celebration of my marriage to my wife, Sigute, over fifteen years ago evolved in this manner.   I hope you enjoy reading it as much as I did in writing it.*

FIRST LOVE

Not earlier loves,
Forged by expectant young hearts
And minds more lustful
Than wise.

Where changes came fast,
But few as one.
And where our child’s past
Fogged our marital screens.

Not loves where souls still searched,
And hearts still yearned.
Where vulnerable bruises
Went unheeded with loud cries.

No, I speak of a love more wise,
Between two people more whole.
One graced with clear vision
And teachings from mistakes past.

A love that honors thy self,
As much as the union.
That lightens the spirit,
And inspires the mind.

One whose pillars are trust and respect,
And mortar truth and honesty.
And whose greener grass
Lies within its fence.

Yes, I speak of a Love
Where souls dance with grace,
And where full hearts and warm bodies
Securely embrace.

This Love of which I speak
Is…Last Love.
This Love of which I speak
Is…First Love.

In the meantime, remember to,

Let It Go–and Accept “What Is!”

Danny

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*You may read more of my poems here

COPYRIGHT 2010 BY DANIEL A. MILLER
The above poem can not be copied, altered, reproduced, or published without the prior express written consent of Daniel A. Miller. However, you are free to share them with your friends with proper accreditation!  Thank you for respecting these creative rights.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Let Go of Control and Be Happy!

Many of my posts explore the remarkable and often unexpected benefits that come to us when we are able to let go of control–even partially– in such vital areas of our lives as parenting, intimate relations, family and friends, at work and in our creative endeavors.

Simply put, losing control brings freedom and contentment.   Here’s a post on how letting go of control improves your life.

In the meantime, remember to,

Let It Go–and Accept “What Is!”

Danny

Gain Control by Losing Control

 

Most people think they need to control people and events in order to get what they want, or think they want. This is quite understandable when you consider the fact that from the time we were young children we have been immersed in a control dominated environment. After all, who could be more controlling than our parents? Even our teachers and religious leaders are controlling in various ways. Certainly, politicians are controlling, frequently manipulating and distorting facts in order to persuade us or gain our support. We thus become very secure with control and the idea of letting go of it can be very unsettling—and for many, unthinkable!

What most controllers fail to recognize is that the more we try to control our lives, the more “out of control” our lives actually become.

Most of us are constantly striving for a sense of security in today’s hectic, complex world.   Controlling actions—whether by pressing, forcing, resisting, and the like– are the primary means we use to try to accomplish this goal.  What we fail to recognize, however, is that the harder we strive for security, the more insecure we become.

That beguiling philosopher, Alan Watts, expresses it best in his little jewel of a book, The Wisdom of Insecurity (Vintage Books, 1951):  “It must be obvious, from the start, that there is a contradiction in wanting to be perfectly secure in a universe whose very nature is momentariness and fluidity….To put it more plainly: the desire for security and the feeling of insecurity are the same thing.”

Losing control of our lives helps us gain control over our lives.

As I explain (and demonstrate through true life stories) in Losing Control, Finding Serenity the more we are able to let go of control in our lives—particularly fear driven control–the more freedom and contentment we will have.  Losing control frees life’s “natural currents” and allows us to engage those currents in an intuitive and expansive manner, resulting in stronger family bonds, enhanced love and intimacy, expanded creative horizons and less stress and anxiety at work and at home.   Thus, although we can never truly “gain” control over our lives,  we can “gain” the sense of well  being and contentment that comes with losing control in vital areas of our lives.

Take This Challenge

Not convinced?  Don’t take my word for it. I challenge you to give up control in the following ways over the next week and observe what happens:

a.  Listen to your children without voicing your opinion or offering advice of any kind.     Remember that they are different from you, and do and process things differently than you do.

b.   Don’t plan anything at all on a Saturday or Sunday (or a week day if you are able), and simply go with what unfolds naturally that day. Try to let go of all expectations and impose no time limits on your activities that day.

c.  Don’t plan or think too much about what you should do (or about the outcome) in your creative endeavors.  Just enjoy the process.  And don’t strive for perfection!

Please drop me a line and let me know how it went.

In the meantime, remember to,

Let It Go–and Accept “What Is!”

Danny

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Enhance Your Valentine’s Day Love Flow

Valentine’s Day is almost here.   What better time to focus on enhancing your “Love Flow”.   It’s easier than you might think. Simply let go of Love Control.

Intimate relations are fertile grounds for controlling actions.  Love control runs the gamut, from unsolicited advice and opinions, to criticism and judgment, to unreasonable demands and expectations.   Such control behaviors breed resentment and diminish the love glow.

Let Go of Love Control

Here are two effective ways to let go of love control and stimulate your love flow.

1. Be Accepting of Your Loved One. Accept your partner for whom, what, and how he or she is, rather than trying to “mold” him (or her) to suit your perceived needs.

2. Moderate Your Expectations. Expecting too much of or from your partner invariably leads to resentment and conflict by putting undue pressure on him or her.  Hence, lower your expectations,reduce the intensity, and allow the love currents to flow naturally.

A Valentine’s Committment

Make a commitment to try these love decontrol tools  this week.  I am confident your Valentine’s Day will shine brighter with enhanced love glow.

In the meantime, remember to,

Let It Go–and Accept “What Is!”

Danny

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Enjoy the Holidays More by Letting Go of Control

The holiday season is a time of great stress and anxiety for most people.   We are forced to plod through heavy traffic, wade through crowded stores with too few sales clerks, incur unwanted financial burdens, and attend family gatherings fraught with unresolved issues and conflicts amongst family members.

Thus, it comes as no surprise when we repeatedly hear the proverbial, “I just dread the holidays.”

Let Go of Control and Enjoy the Holidays

I have a solution for much of your holiday anxiety:  Let Go of Control! If you do, I’m pretty sure you will enjoy the holidays much more—or at least dread them much less!  If you are wondering how control impacts enjoyment of the holidays, let me explain.  Holiday pressures exacerbate our tendency to rush, to press, to resist, to direct, to expect, and to criticize—all tension-creating control devices.

Wouldn’t you enjoy yourself much more if you were able to take it easy and feel everything would work out okay?

You can do this—by letting go of control.  Here’s how.

Holiday Decontrol Tips

Here are a few effective ways of letting go of control during the holiday season.

1.  Lower or Remove Your Expectations. Try not to expect too much of others, especially family.  As I’ve cautioned in prior posts, high expectations often lead to disappointment and resentment.  It is much better—for you and others—to have little or no expectations of how people will be or act.  Don’t assume or anticipate conflict or discord with others based on past history and experiences.  For example, if you are concerned about sitting at the same table with your wayward brother or sister at a Christmas dinner, don’t make any assumptions—good or bad—about what might happen; instead, trust that you will be able to disengage (i.e., let go) from any problem that might result, and enjoy other parts of the reunion.

2.  Be Patient. Allow holiday “currents” to progress and evolve naturally, rather than pressing for resolutions.  Life is always in a constant state of motion—shifting, and ebbing and flowing—even more so during the holiday rush.  Focus on being calm and grounded, and wait for the currents to flow your way.   Then engage them intuitively, rather than forcefully.  To better do this, plan some alone time for yourself each day, whether to meditate, journal, take a short walk, or do something fun.

3. Keep Things Simple. Don’t complicate things by over planning and over thinking.  Don’t fret about all the “what ifs” and “what could happens.”  Worrying only plants the seeds for those things to happen!  Instead, trust that things will work out as they were intended.  By keeping things simple you will save considerable time and energy, and reduce stress and tension for yourself and those around you.

4.  Address and process your “Personal Truths.”  Addressing our unwanted feelings is a critical component of reducing the compulsion to control. I devote an entire chapter to this, entitled Embracing Your Personal Truths, in my forthcoming book, Losing Control, Finding Serenity.  In simple terms, this process involves identifying and processing those unwanted feelings that compel you to control, such as fear, anger, anxiety, insecurity and the like.  For example, if you are feeling extremely anxious because of all the things you feel you need (or want) to do today, rather than forging “past” your anxiety, take a few minutes to get in touch with it.  Start by trying to feel your anxiety internally, even physically.  Take some slow, deep breaths and really get in tune in to it.  “Embrace” it, if you will.  Though it may sound counterintuitive, recognizing your anxiety will lessen it considerably.  Next, ask yourself how important is it that you do everything today.  What terrible thing might happen if you don’t?  Most things aren’t as important as we imagine them to be.

If you try these “decontrol” tools I am confident you will experience greater enjoyment of the holiday season.   You might even start looking forward to them!

In closing, I would like to wish you a very peaceful holiday season.   And remember to,

Let It Go–and Accept “What Is!”

Danny

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Let Go of Control by Moderating Your Expectations

 

Many of us recognize the benefits of letting go of control and have a strong desire to do so, but struggle with it.  That’s perfectly understandable when you consider that we have been raised and have always lived in a control based world.  After all, as young children weren’t we controlled by our parents? By our teachers? And at times even by our religious leaders?  This is not to say that control is not warranted in many situations, but simply that when we have been so immersed in it throughout our lives, we feel uncomfortable and insecure without it.

It thus is a tremendous challenge to begin letting go of control—particularly with those matters and concerns that are most important to us. (Ironically, it is those areas in which losing control would be most beneficial!) As I stated in my introductory blog post, a primary reason for this blog is to provide (and engage in an intercourse about) effective tools and tips for letting go of control.  So let’s start with the first one:

Moderate Your Expectations.

High Expectations Fuel Controlling Actions

We all have expectations.  They are a natural part of our desire for a better and more content life.   We expect our friends and family to act kindly and responsibly toward us and others.  We expect our work to provide us with  certain security and benefits.  We expect our children to perform well in school; our teachers to be competent; and our leaders to govern fairly.  And so on.

The problem arises when our expectations become unrealistically high.  High expectations fuel controlling actions.  When we expect too much of people and things, it inevitably leads to disappointment followed by control actions.  When people don’t act or respond the way we want or expect them to, we try hard to change them.  We become critical, judgmental, demanding—even threatening.

High expectations impact all areas of our lives: work, family, friendships, sports, performance, to name a few key ones.  I will try to address these areas in future posts, but for now let’s consider the impact of control on our creativity.   When you have high expectations about a creative work or piece, whether it be a painting, a music composition, a script—-even cooking a gourmet meal—it induces you to over think, become anxious, and try too hard for perfection.  These types of controlling actions severely obstruct the creative process.  Things stop jelling and flowing naturally, you stop acting intuitively, and your piece suffers.  As a painter, I have had many paintings that started out great, after which I raised my expectations, only to have them falter as I pressed to maintain their high level.

Set Realistic Expectations

Consequently, you need to set realistic goals and expectations  if you wish to reduce the urge to control.  Doing so goes a long way toward saving you and those around you from undue pressure, demands, and stress.  Similarly, do not expect too much of yourself, either.  When you do, you will start pressing and forcing the action, thereby disrupting the natural flow of events.

One effective way to set realistic expectations is simply to ask yourself whether your perceived need or desire is that important in the overall scheme of things.  Most of the time it is not. It is also helpful to keep reminding ourselves that life (and thus people, occurrences and events) is constantly moving, shifting, and ebbing and flowing, and hence it is not wise to rely too much on people acting or things turning out the way we would like.

Finding Your Hidden Treasures

I would like to close with a short passage from my forthcoming book, Losing Control, Finding Serenity:

“I carry in my wallet a wise statement from a Chinese fortune cookie I opened many years ago.  It reads, ‘You will find hidden treasures where least expected.’ Think about that for a moment.  If you expect less, you control less—and find more.  Conversely, when you expect more, you control more—and find less.”

In the meantime,

Let It Go–and Accept “What Is!”

Danny

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Expand Your Life Options by Letting Go of Control

 

 

A major benefit of letting go of control is that it expands your life options.  The very intensity and obsessiveness of our controlling actions obscure our vision, and we literally are unable to see the opportunities that are right before us.

This dynamic is like the “farsightedness” that results when we intensely search for something we have misplaced.  How many times have you searched relentlessly for your keys or cell phone, but to no avail?   And then when you finally stop looking for them, you quickly spot them, right there in front of you.

My Obsessive Search Bore No Fruit

After acquiring a beautiful dining room set three years ago, I was set upon finding a vintage art deco light fixture to complement it. I became obsessed with finding the right fixture.   I had a clear vision of the type of fixture I wanted and nothing else would do.  For two years, I unsuccessfully scoured Los Angeles lighting stores.  I repeatedly visited one store in particular—Liz’s Hardware—known for its vintage light fixtures.  I had high hopes that the right fixture might eventually appear.  Nothing did. I finally gave up.

After I stopped Searching, “Fruition” Came

A few months later, my wife and I were enjoying a Saturday afternoon together.  She asked if I wanted to see if anything new had come in at Liz’s.  To her surprise, I said “No, I’ve given up searching for the piece.”  Unbelievably, less than thirty minutes later we passed a store with an unusual store front.  From the outside, the only thing you could see were two old fashioned cameras on tripods pointing at white partitions.  I was intrigued, turned around and parked.

As we entered the store, an unusual, very eclectic potpourri of art and furniture greeted us on all sides.  The store felt otherworldly.  Stepping into a back room, we glanced up and saw unusual metal sculpture pieces attached to twisted iron cords that hung down from the high ceiling—to which were randomly attached glowing lights shaped like ostrich eggs.  Indeed, the store manager informed us that some of the fixtures were ostrich eggs that had been pierced so the light could shine through.

We immediately placed an order for a fixture; it now graces our dining room with its inviting light.

I would never have found this beautiful, functional art piece had I continued my high expectation, insistent, controlling ways.  It was only when I removed my expectations and stopped actively looking for what I thought I needed that the currents were “released” and brought opportunity into my life.  The results were even better than I’d expected.  The piece is not only totally different than what I was so set on finding, but it is also well beyond any beauty that I could have imagined possible.

Removing the Blinders

I know from repeated experience in all areas of my life that when I lose control, my blinders are removed, my vision vastly expands, and I become more aware of the wonders that are around me.

Whether at work or at home, and whether in art or in performance, you will benefit immensely from the options and unexpected opportunities that arise when you are willing to step back and allow the “currents” to flow naturally.

In the meantime, remember to,

Let It Go–and Accept “What Is!”

Danny Miller

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