“Don’t demand that things happen as you wish, but wish that they happen as they do happen, and you will go on well.” — Epictetus, Enchiridion 8 (Elizabeth Carter)

Micro-Lesson#

The refusal to accept reality is the source of almost all daily suffering. Acceptance is not approval — you can fight an injustice and still not wage a private war against the fact that it happened. Amor fati begins here, in miniature: stop arguing with the morning traffic. Stop arguing with the weather. Stop arguing with the person who already spoke. Begin the day by wishing it the way it actually is.

Exercise (10 min)#

List three things that already happened today that you mildly resented. After each, write: “This happened. I will not argue with that it happened. I will choose my response.”

Journal Prompt#

What is one thing I keep demanding be different, that I could simply allow to be as it is?