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February 28th

WHEN YOU LOSE CONTROL

“The soul is like a bowl of water, and our impressions are like the

ray of light falling upon the water. When the water is troubled, it

appears that the light itself is moved too, but it isn’t. So, when a

person loses their composure it isn’t their skills and virtues that

are troubled, but the spirit in which they exist, and when that spirit

calms down so do those things.”

—EPICTETUS, DISCOURSES, 3.3.20–22

ou messed up a little. Or maybe you messed up a lot.
So? That doesn’t change the philosophy that you know. It’s not as
if your reasoned choice has permanently abandoned you. Rather, it was you
who temporarily abandoned it.
Remember that the tools and aims of our training are unaffected by the
turbulence of the moment. Stop. Regain your composure. It’s waiting for
you.