Epictetus said the whole of wisdom turns on one distinction: knowing what's up to you and what isn't. So much of our strain comes from pushing on things that won't move, other people, the past, the result. Meanwhile the things we can move, our effort, our attitude, our next action, go neglected. Today, sort it out. The traffic isn't yours; leaving earlier is. The reply isn't yours; how you ask is. When you stop spending yourself on the unmovable, you free up real strength for the movable. It's not resignation. It's aim. You only have so much energy; put it where it can do some good.

Inspired by the old idea of dichotomy of control. Written by Ugo Charles.