"したがって、何も異国のものが私たちの感じること、生きること、存在することを決めたわけではないのだから、文句を言うことを考えることは無意味である。"

Complaining about our circumstances doesn’t make much sense because, in the end, we’re the ones in control of how we feel and who we are. It’s easy to point fingers at external factors—like a tough boss, a bad breakup, or even the weather—for our unhappiness. But the core idea here is that these things don’t have the power to dictate our inner world. We do.

Imagine standing in a long line at the grocery store. The person in front of you is taking forever, and you start to feel that familiar sense of irritation bubbling up. It's easy to blame the slow customer or the cashier for your growing frustration. But what if you took a step back and realized that your reaction is entirely up to you? You could use that time to check your phone, plan your dinner, or even strike up a friendly conversation with someone nearby. The situation itself hasn’t changed, but your perspective has, and that makes all the difference.

Think back to the Stoic philosophers like Marcus Aurelius. They lived in times that were, arguably, much harsher than ours—facing wars, plagues, and political unrest. Yet, they emphasized the importance of inner tranquility and control over one’s own mind. Marcus Aurelius, for example, wrote about focusing on what you can control and letting go of what you can’t. This wasn’t just lofty philosophy for him; it was a daily practice in staying grounded amidst chaos.

Let’s bring this down to something more relatable. Picture yourself at work. Your manager abruptly changes the project deadline, pushing it up by a week. You can feel the stress kicking in, and your first instinct might be to complain to your coworkers about how unfair this is. But hold on—what if, instead, you took a deep breath and approached it differently? Maybe you decide to tackle the project in smaller chunks, prioritize tasks more efficiently, or even ask for help if you need it. By shifting your focus from the external stressor to what you can control (your response), you not only feel more at ease but also become more productive.

So, how do you apply this in your everyday life? Start by catching yourself when you’re about to complain. Pause and ask, "Is this something I can control?" If it isn’t, let it go. If it is, think about what steps you can take to improve the situation. This small shift in mindset can make a huge difference.

Let’s say you’re stuck in traffic—late for an important meeting. You’re pounding the steering wheel and muttering under your breath. But then you remember this idea. You can’t control the traffic, but you can control how you deal with it. Maybe you use the time to listen to an interesting podcast or take a few deep breaths and enjoy some unexpected alone time. The traffic jam remains, but your sense of frustration dissipates.

Life throws all sorts of curveballs at us. But how we react—that’s our domain. By focusing on controlling our reactions rather than the uncontrollable external events, we reclaim our power and find peace in even the most chaotic situations. So next time you find yourself on the verge of a complaint, think about what you can control, and let go of the rest. You might just find that inner peace you’re looking for.