Stake Your Own Claim
Today’s Daily Stoic Meditation outlines the power of taking control of your life.
“For it’s disgraceful for an old person, or one in sight of old age, to have only the knowledge carried in their notebooks. Zeno said this . . . what do you say? Cleanthes said that . . . what do you say? How long will you be compelled by the claims of another? Take charge and stake your own claim — something posterity will carry in its notebook.”
— SENECA, MORAL LETTERS, 33.7
Not every thought requires our attention.
Not every thought is helpful for us. Some serve us better and make us aware and intelligent about our life and its things, but others must be thrown away.
With fruits or vegetables come the part of the edible which has to be thrown away. Similarly, not every thought has to be processed in our minds.
It is crucial to learn the art of ignoring our thoughts before expecting to walk on this planet with mental peace.
Varies Thoughts Come Into Our Minds
Thoughts about the meaning of life, future, memories, people, places, etc. Some negative and some positive.
Maybe you think that life after graduation will be challenging, whether you will be able to live your dreams or not, or whether you will meet the right people.
Or maybe you are afraid about what other people are thinking about you, whether you will be successful in your life or you will be a failure, and so on.
You Can’t Control Everything
A human being is not entirely limitless; You can’t control how people think. You can’t handle this entire world. You are not responsible for the weather the conditions.
Near to 99% of the things are out of your control.
You can’t make a person like you no matter how hard you try; You can’t change the other person’s mind. You do not have results in your hands.
Anything could happen. You work hard, but then war breaks out. Now? Where are your goals? Time is ticking away, and you are losing your youth. Where is your success despite being the most deserving of it?
You can’t control most things in life, and that is the reality.
You Can Only Control Your Response
Thoughts have no power until you process them.
It’s completely natural to think about anything wrong or super positive. The mind will throw the thoughts because it’s the mind’s job.
But the only control you have is how you choose to respond. You can ignore the thought, or you can engage in it. It’s your choice.
Make sure that you choose the thoughts which require some form of action. Thoughts that demand control are the right thoughts you should engage yourself in.
Be a Watchman of The Mind
Now I’m not saying that you should look for every thought in your mind. That’s a hell lot of work.
You won’t find time for it. But still, make sure that whichever thoughts you have got yourself engaged in are the kind of thoughts that are helping you or not.
There is a built-in intelligence to guide you toward the right path. It shows you the way — the right road. That kind of choice leads to peace of mind.
You exactly know which thought you should ignore and which you should avoid. It’s just you have got yourself busy in the noise. Do your duty. Be the wise watchman of the mind.
Protect it from harmful information and welcome and engage in the right information.
In Conclusion
Smartness is when you know what things you can control and what you can’t. It also means that you have to give all to the things you can control and ignore the things you can’t control.
To walk on this planet peacefully, you must accept that most things will always be out of your control, and you can’t do much about it. You will only disturb your peace if you try to do. You can only choose to respond, and that is within your reach. That’s it. Give your best in it.
