When the Mind Begins to Wander

It's easy to believe that our minds are under our control – until they drift into worries about the future or regrets about the past. The Stoics remind us that the mind is its own place. What we allow it to dwell on determines the quality of our life.

When I notice my thoughts wandering towards old regrets or imagined outcomes, I take a mental step back and ask: Is this within my control? Usually, it isn't. That moment of awareness interrupts the negative thoughts and brings me back to the present – where my influence actually exists.

Marcus Aurelius wrote, "You have power over your mind – not outside events. Realize this and you will find strength." Those words have become a reminder that freedom begins in how we direct our attention.

The mind will always wander. The practice is gently guiding it back – to the present, to gratitude, and to the next right action.