how do you know when to let go?

2008 is coming to a close. Let's recap some of the highlights.

I kept the house. And I got an awesome roommate.
I wrote my first paper. Still trying to get it published.
I saw a lot of shows: Laura Veirs, Erin McKeown, Jose Gonzalez, Bon Iver, The New Pornographers, Okkervil River, Kate Nash, Tegan and Sara, Ingrid Michaelson, Josh Ritter, Thao, Ladytron, Neko Case, Stars, Man Man, Wolf Parade, Calexico...
I met a ton of new people. Some of whom are now very dear to me. (MJS, this means you)
I had great fun with friends.
I went on a bunch of dates.
I made out with all kinds of people.
I was someone's RNRGF.
I biked for miles and miles and miles.
I danced late into the night.
I floated.
I camped.
I knitted.
I rollerskated.
I roadtriped.
I cooked.
I drank beer. And more beer.

All of these things and more made 2008... the year of transition. the year of independence. the year of re-learning for a new stage in my life. But some old habits die hard. For me, there will always be this persistence to hold on to situations, to people. My umpteenth fatal flaw of not letting go, of not being able to give up control. Of being personally invested in seeing things through.

So for New Year's, I suppose I need to have a chat with St. Jude and offer him all my lost causes. He should take them up, so I don't continue to clutch them too close, like a security blanket of what-if's and what-could-have-been's. How do you know when to let go? Where does the good go? Where does the good go? It's December 31st and another year ends. Time to embrace the promise and change of the next one. And the lost causes, the things that are so hard for me to give up on, can I put them aside and start fresh? I would like to say yes. I really would.

Resolve resolving resolved.