Most of us don’t cling to control because we’re power-hungry. We cling because we’re afraid — of failing, of being hurt, of disappointing God or others.

My inner critic sounded strangely wise, almost protective—like it was guarding me against embarrassment or disappointment. But in reality, it was doing the opposite. It was shrinking my world. It was shaping my decisions out of fear, not trust. It was pulling me back toward an orphan mindset.

#12 in the Aging Gracefully series As we age, one of the greatest blessings we gain is freedom from approval—no longer being controlled...