“Some things are within our power, while others are not. Within our power are opinion, motivation, desire, aversion, 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.” - Epictetus
Have you ever felt like life was out of your control? That no matter what you did, things just never seemed to go your way?
This is where the concept of the dichotomy of control comes in. At the heart of Stoic philosophy, it’s a simple framework that can help you focus your thoughts and live a happier life.
The dichotomy of control is all about understanding the difference between things that are within your control and those that aren’t.
It’s about realizing that some things, like your thoughts, reactions, and choices, are completely within your control. While other things, like your health, wealth, and reputation, are not.
But what does this mean for your life?
Well, if you focus on the things that you can control, you can reduce stress, anxiety, and worry. You see, when we worry about things that are outside of our control, like the future or our health, we are only making ourselves suffer. We are worrying about things that may never happen, or that we can’t do anything about.
Instead, we can focus on how we respond to outside events. We can use our thoughts, reactions, and choices to control our own happiness and well-being. By doing this, we can reduce the amount of stress and worry in our lives, and live a happier life.
When it comes to adversity, it’s inevitable that we will face it at some point in our lives. It’s just part of the human experience. But with the dichotomy of control, we can learn to cope with it in a healthy and productive way.
Instead of getting bogged down by what we can’t control, we can focus on our reactions and choices.
We can choose to be present, logical, and optimistic, even in the face of adversity. This will help us to bounce back from setbacks more quickly and find meaning in the difficult times.
So, if you’re looking for a way to live a happier life, consider adopting the dichotomy of control.
Focus on the things you can control, and let go of the things you can’t. You’ll find that you’ll worry less, feel more in control, and live a happier life.
Make it your mission to get on the right frequency and to create your own reality.
Mark