The Daily Stoic

(Dana P.) #1

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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.

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