The Stoic, Marcus Aurelius, said, “Willing acceptance — now, at this very moment — of all external events. That’s all you need.”

The Stoic, Marcus Aurelius

This reminds me of something that happened to me a few years ago. I was struggling with a situation that was not to my liking. I struggled with it for quite a while, and needless to say, the banging of my head against the wall didn’t feel as good as I had hoped.

I did something I felt was revolutionary. I made the incredible decision to accept the circumstances not for what I wanted or as I had hoped, but as is.

I was so proud of myself for acting like an adult that I had to share it. I called a trusted friend and shared the entire journey of what I had been through, my struggle, and my eventual acceptance.

I expected accolades and reverence. A parade should not have been out of the question, but at the very least, a high school marching band would have been appropriate.

Here’s what I got from him: “So, let me get this straight. You’re calling to talk about something that already happened; something that even if you wanted to — you can’t change; something that the world has not only moved on from, but probably has forgotten about, and you want me to be impressed with the fact that you have made the decision to be okay with that?”

My minuscule brain went into overdrive. I softly said, “Well…when you put it that way…it sounds kinda stupid.”

He hung up.