The one path to Serenity

“Keep this thought at the ready at daybreak, and through the day and night — there is only one path to happiness, and that is in giving up all outside of your sphere of choice, regarding nothing else as your possession, surrendering all else to God and Fortune.”

— Epictetus, Discourses, 4.4.39

We have all heard the phrase, “Give it to God”. Typically this is used when dealing with issues outside our control, or as Epictetus says ‘outside of your sphere of choice’. I have often avoided using this phrase as I find that while somethings are outside my control, I often still have choices in how I can prepare and how I handle it. While I can choose what I eat and if I exercise, I can’t choose if I develop cancer. You cannot control whether you get the job, but you can position yourself through preparation. Stressing over other peoples choices only leads to anxiety and fear.

Do the best you can to prepare and then let the chips fall where they may. It is in your response that your next choices lie.