A Short List Of Things You Have Complete Control Over
1. The words you use to speak to another human
No puppet pulls your strings to make you say something, tweet something, or leave a rude comment. You are not Tickle Me Elmo, you are a human being, and you get to decide what words to choose.
2. The words you use to speak to yourself
If you speak lies to your soul, you will start to believe them. If you speak cruelty to your heart, you will begin to internalize that, too. If you treat yourself with the kindness, love, and compassion that you give to others, watch what magic unfolds.
3. What you do with your time
There are only 24 hours in each day. How do you use them? How do you squander them? Do you treasure every minute, or do you let them slip through your fingertips without even realizing it?
4. How you spend your energy
When you expend more energy than you have, you’ll get exhausted quickly. It’s okay to be discerning with what and who you spend your energies on.
5. You opinions, your judgments, and your thoughts
When a judgment passes through your mind, you get to determine how to move forward. You get to decide how to break cycles of thoughts and live outside the line.
6. Your diet
Nobody is making you have a salad. Nobody is asking you to shove that donut in your mouth, either. If you’re not drinking enough water throughout the day, you’re the only one who can change that. You are in control of the food and drinks that you consume.
7. Your digital footprint
Each post on Instagram, each tweet, each Facebook rant – they’re all your choice. If the picture is not a reflection of the way you wish to be seen, don’t post it. Are your Facebook rants adding value to the lives of others? No? Then why on earth would you post them? It’s good to vent, but social media should not be your diary. Buy a journal instead.
8. The media you consume
It’s easy to curate a life that becomes an echo chamber of our own thoughts—it’s essential to push back against that. Listen to music that you’ve never heard. Read stories of those who you don’t know or understand. Consume art and news that makes you leave your bubble of comfort. It’s good for the mind, body, and soul.
9. The company you keep
If your friends aren’t a good influence, you get to change that. If your partnership isn’t healthy, you get to change that, too. The people that you surround yourself with should be loving, compassionate, kind humans. They should bring out the best in you, and you should bring out the best in one another. 
