This is Day 96 of the Positive 100, a countdown to Rare Disease Day 2014 and an exercise in being positive despite it all.

Knowing when to let go is one of the hardest lessons to learn. We are taught to hold tight and keep pushing forward because if we ever let go or give up we are some sort of failure. But that is only half the lesson.

The other half is knowing when to let go.

My mom often quotes the serenity prayer:

“God, grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change,
The courage to change the things I can,
And wisdom to know the difference.”

I whole heartedly understand why she repeats it so often. It is hard to let go of those things we cannot change. It is hard to let go of problems. Harder yet to let go of hurt. And hardest of all to let go of things that are just impossible.

If you aren’t into prayers, advice guru, Ann Landers gives similar advice:

“Some people believe holding on and hanging in there are signs of great strength. However, there are times when it takes much more strength to know when to let go and then do it.”

I’ve had to learn to let go, because it certainly does not come naturally to me. I am the queen of focus. I had a 5 year plan. I controlled everything. I drove and was never the copilot. (I might be a little type A…)

Having a diagnosis was supposed to help me stay in control, instead it is teaching me how to let go. I had to let go of the pain I felt when I was diagnosed with CRPS. I had to let go of what my notions of a normal life are. I’ve had to let go of my need to control and plan my life in advance.

I hope I have the serenity to accept the things I cannot change and the wisdom to know when to be courageously pushing forward.

How has letting go helped you stay positive? Share your answer on social media with the hashtag #100positivedays on Twitter, Instagram and Google+.