The renowned Stoic philosopher Epictetus once said, "Some things are within our power, while others are not. Within our power are our opinions, motivations, desires, aversions, and, in a word, whatever is of our own doing; not within our power are our body, our property, reputation, office, and, in a word, whatever is not of our own doing."
In a world rife with anxiety over uncontrollable elements, this quote deserves to be taped to our mirrors.
Admittedly, life has grown more complex, but often, we unnecessarily make it complicated. We devote excessive time to stewing over uncontrollable aspects, thereby limiting our potential in areas we can influence.
Consider the sources of your anxiety at this moment. How many stem from concerns about the future? Personally, they constitute 100% of my anxiety. Hence, when I am anxious, I am inherently not in the present moment. And even if I am present, I catastrophize my circumstances and stress over this framing of the situation.
However, before we can reframe our life's narrative, we must first cultivate presence and mindfulness. These states allow us to, one, approach situations with equanimity, and two, connect with the underlying meaning behind our actions.
For instance, you might endure a challenging job, forgetting that it provides the means to create a beautiful life for your children. Or perhaps you dread your workouts, overlooking your goal to regain fitness after neglecting your health.
Initially, reframing your challenges to align with their underlying meaning may seem arduous. However, you might be astonished by its immediate effectiveness. Although the relief might be subtle, it marks the initial step in contextualizing our struggles within their meaningful backdrop.
In today's unpredictable world, mastering this practice can transform your constant suffering into a newfound sense of control over your destiny.
And remember, when in doubt… Pause. Breathe. And Quiet the Noise.