Things in life are so complex and wrapped in confusion that even great thinkers—Stoics included—have struggled to make full sense of them. Our beliefs and judgments constantly shift, because no one is entirely immune to change. So step back and look at the world clearly: the things people chase are short-lived and often end up in the hands of corrupt or shallow individuals. Then look at the character of the people around you—even the most pleasant ones can be hard to deal with, and often, we can barely stand ourselves. In a world this chaotic and fleeting, what’s really worth obsessing over? Instead of chasing after empty things, we should find peace in two truths: first, that nothing will happen to us that isn’t part of the natural order; and second, that we can always choose to act with integrity and never go against our inner guide. No one can take that power from us
