"Life is too short. I can't control everything in my life. Trying to is exhausting!!" - member of DiabetesTeam

When first faced with a diabetes diagnosis, a common fear is a lack of control over our health. How could our bodies betray us? How do we grab the reins back and fix the situation? Living with a chronic disease forces us to recognize what we can and cannot control.

Members on DiabetesTeam have various strategies for letting go of control and fear, including:

1) using guided imagery to visualize letting go
2) opening up and trusting others
3) organizing or cleaning the house
4) reaching out for support from other members on DiabetesTeam

Here are recent conversations from members on DiabetesTeam:

• "Doing better. Not back to work or driving yet from the stroke but at least I'm home and have a return date set for work. Not driving causes stress but I just have to let go as I cannot change it... all in good time."
• "Spend time with people who are fun to be around and are not competing for the most glamorous granny competition. I feel so much better now I have 'let go' of that obsession that everyone else seems to want FOR me."
• "It is not easy to let go of bitterness and contempt but it gets a little easier if you can see the damage it is doing to you. Move on because there is so much more ahead of you. Live well my friends and love even better."

Have you had moments of letting go just when you needed it most? What helps you 'let go' of things out of your control? Share in the comments below or directly on DiabetesTeam.com.