Whenever you are frustrated and thinking your problem is another person, it’s likely time to take a good look in the mirror. Our frustration comes from wanting people to do things they don’t want to do. In order to find the peace within that so many of us are seeking, it is helpful to get to a place in our lives where it really is all right for everyone to do whatever they think is best for them. Do not judge or condemn others for their choices. Know that everyone is doing the best they can at that point in time to get their needs met. Once you accept that everyone has the right to do whatever they choose, knowing there will be consequences for every choice anyone makes–some positive, some negative, and some simply neutral–then our job becomes adjusting ourselves to better manage the choices of others. This is one of the basic premises of InsideOut Empowerment® – The only person’s behavior you can control is your own. If you want to feel empowered, then it is time to recognize the simple fact most of us know already, and begin living your life by focusing only on adjusting yourself instead of trying to change other people. Focusing your energy where it will do the most good is the goal. Once you have mastered this principle, you will be surprised at the influence you have with other people. You couldn’t change them before, when you were judging them as wrong and pushing them in the direction you wanted but when you give up the need to change others, they immediately become more open to hearing what you say.