“It’s not what happens to you, but how you react to it that matters.” — Epictetus.
The story tells of an alcoholic father with two sons, one who follows his father's path and becomes an alcoholic, and the other who becomes a successful and sober businessman. When asked why they are the way they are, both answer: "Because my father was an alcoholic." This illustrates that our responses to events are subjective choices despite the objective reality of what happens to us. The Stoics, including Epictetus, believe that we cannot control what happens to us, but we have control over our thoughts and reactions. Therefore, our reactions to the strokes of fortune, not our good or bad luck, define us in life. Remembering this and not allowing anyone to convince us otherwise is essential. Best of...