This means our happiness depends on our perception and judgment of external events. In fact, all events are neutral, and we only assign them value due to our perceptions. We actively prevent ourselves from turning the obstacle upside down and viewing hardships through a more positive lens. If tragedy happens, life must move on. This is entirely up to you.

Turning the obstacle upside down is not easy. Controlling your emotions and responding rather than reacting is the focus of many philosophies. Stoicism takes a different view on how to train this type of non-reactiveness. We must induce voluntary discomfort and also practice negative visualization. This dramatically changes our expectations and sense of gratitude and allows us to become more resilient in our thoughts.

Finally, Stoicism encourages you to focus only on what is within your control and accept that which is not. You can control your efforts and actions but almost never the outcomes. This is life. One path leads you to happiness, while the other leads you to perpetual dissatisfaction. Again, this choice is entirely upon your shoulders.

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10-Minute Philosophy: From Buddhism to Stoicism, Confucius and Aristotle - Bite-Sized Wisdom From Some of History’s Greatest Thinkers By Patrick King

Get the audiobook on Audible at https://bit.ly/10MinPhil

Show notes and/or episode transcripts are available at https://bit.ly/social-skills-home

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Patrick King is an internationally bestselling author and social skills coach. emotional and social intelligence. Learn more or get a free mini-book on conversation tactics at https://bit.ly/pkconsulting

For narration information visit Russell Newton at https://bit.ly/VoW-home

For production information visit Newton Media Group LLC at https://bit.ly/newtonmg

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