"El universo es cambio nuestra vida es lo que nuestros pensamientos hacen de ella."

The essence of this quote is that everything around us is constantly shifting, and the way we experience our lives is heavily influenced by our mindset. Think about it: change is inevitable. Seasons change, technology advances, people grow older — it’s just the way the universe works. But while we can’t control these external changes, we do have control over how we perceive and react to them. Our thoughts shape our reality.

Imagine for a second that it’s said by Marcus Aurelius, a Roman emperor and philosopher, which it was. Back in his day, around 161-180 AD, life was tough. There were wars, political upheavals, and plagues. Marcus had to navigate all of this while leading an empire. So, it makes sense that he’d focus on controlling his thoughts to maintain some peace of mind amidst the chaos.

Let’s bring this to life with an example. Picture a young woman named Sarah. She’s just been laid off from her job. Now, this is a massive change — her universe, so to speak, has just shifted dramatically. Sarah has two options. She can let this event consume her with negative thoughts, leading to stress and possibly depression. Or, she can see it as an opportunity. Maybe it’s a chance to finally pursue that passion project she’s always dreamed about. By choosing to focus on the latter, she transforms her circumstances into something positive. It’s all about her mindset.

So, how can you apply this wisdom to your life? Start small. Next time you face an unexpected change — big or small — pause. Take a moment to reflect on how you’re thinking about the situation. Are your thoughts leaning towards the negative? If so, try to shift your perspective. Ask yourself what you can learn from this or how it might lead to new opportunities. It's not about putting on rose-colored glasses and ignoring reality, but rather about finding a constructive way to navigate it.

Here’s a relatable scenario to chew on: Think about moving to a new city. It’s a pretty daunting change, right? You don’t know anyone, and everything’s unfamiliar. Your initial thoughts might be filled with anxiety. But let’s flip it. What if you see it as a grand adventure? A chance to explore new places, meet interesting people, try different foods. Suddenly, the move doesn’t seem so scary. Instead, it’s exciting. This shift in thinking can make all the difference.

To sum it up, while we can’t stop the universe from changing, we do have the power to choose our thoughts. And those thoughts can shape our entire experience. It’s like having a superpower, don’t you think? So next time life throws you a curveball, remember: you can’t always control what happens, but you can control how you think about it. And that can change everything.