Enchiridion 19 looks at the idea of being invincible. Another way to look at this is being resilient. Many individuals seek acknowledgement from others. This does not bring strength to the individual.

When we engage in contests it must be with ourselves. We must look at what is in our control. Don’t be jealous or envious of others. We can only defeat ourselves. Being invincible means being free from what distresses us. The first step is acceptance.

Acceptance is the acknowledgment of ourselves as we really are at the moment, with no illusions or self-deception. Likewise, acceptance expands outward by acknowledging situations, other people, our whole world and overarching reality as it is, not as we would rather it be.

To invite acceptance is to face facts. No one can truly reinvent themselves without practicing the art of acceptance, because acceptance is a form of deep honesty.