Good Morning,

Everyone will have bad days. Everyone will have things go wrong. Everyone will make bad decisions. Let’s face it, we are human.

Today’s message comes from a Greek philosopher named Epictetus who lived way back in the first century AD. In those intervening 19 centuries, technology may have changed but people have not. Yes, we are still human.

This morning’s message deals with how we handle adversity. Do we make the best of the hand we were dealt or do we yell, scream, holler, blame others and sometimes take retaliatory action against the alleged perpetrator of our situation?

Below is a paragraph I found online that seems to express the significance of the Epictetus statement better than I could try to explain it.

“This simple yet profound quote encapsulates the essence of Stoic philosophy and provides us with a valuable lesson on the power of our reactions. At its core, this quote emphasizes the importance of our outlook and response to the events and circumstances that unfold in our lives. It teaches us that we have the ability to shape our own experiences through the lens of our reactions, ultimately influencing our happiness and well-being. The significance of Epictetus' quote lies in its empowering message. It reminds us that we possess an innate capacity to choose how we respond to both pleasant and challenging situations. While we may not have control over external events, we do have control over our attitudes and reactions towards them. By adopting a positive perspective and maintaining control over our emotions, we can navigate through life's adversities with resilience, strength, and grace."

This week, like almost every week, things will happen and many of them will not be as we would like. We may not be able to control everything that happens, but we can choose how we react to them. Will our responses make the situation better or worse? Is a response even necessary?

Make the best of the week before you.

Jim

PS: If you would like to view the entire discussion, just click the following link:

https://www.socratic-method.com/quote-meanings/epictetus-its-not-what-happens-to-you-but-how-you-react-to-it-that-matters.