We are not our circumstances

Yesterday on my meditation app, I received this quote by Epictetus, “Circumstances don’t make us, they only reveal us to ourselves. Epictetus was a Greek Stoic philosopher who lived from approximately 50 to approximately 135 AD. This quote of his could easily have been stated by any modern-day mystic or philosopher, as well as a religious or spiritual teacher.

This was stated in more modern times by Viktor Frankl, who said, “When we are no longer able to change a situation, we are challenged to change ourselves.” In Unity, we say, “Thoughts held in mind produce after their kind,” and in 12-step programs, it becomes the Serenity Prayer.

Truth is Truth. 

What makes it true is that if it is expressed by a Greek Stoic philosopher or a modern-day 12-step member, it essentially means the same thing: we live life from the inside out, not the other way around. Yet, many of our challenges today are not caused by what is actually happening, but by unwarranted fears of the future or how we react to circumstances. My mother used to say, “It is taking a thread and knitting a sweater.”

Where is your focus?

How can we prevent ourselves from spinning out when the outside world challenges us and causes us concern or fear? One thing we can ask ourselves is whether this is something I can change or not. If it’s beyond my control, I can let it go. Alternatively, we can ask ourselves, “How are we now?” One of my favorite lessons I learned from a friend is to “stop feeling our pain in advance.” The point is that when we focus on living in the present and stop trying to control the future, we find more peace and happiness, and life takes on new meaning

In One Spirit,

Arlene

Quote of the Week:

“It is not things themselves that disturb us, but our opinions about them.”  -- Marcus Aurelius

How often did you catch yourself "switching the bracelet"? Something to think about as the rest of your day/week unfolds! And please introduce yourself to me at the Unity Center of Pittsburgh when I speak in-person again this Sunday, September 14.