"غير قادر على التحكم في الأحداث، أتحكم في نفسي."

Sometimes life throws us curveballs that we can't control—things happen that are just beyond our influence. That's the heart of this quote. It's about realizing that, while we might not be able to change the events around us, we can change how we react to them. We govern ourselves when we can't govern the world.

This wisdom hails from Michel de Montaigne, a French philosopher from the Renaissance era. Montaigne lived through turbulent times, including religious wars and political upheaval. His world was unpredictable and often chaotic. He wrote these words as a way to find peace and resilience despite the turmoil around him. His philosophy emphasizes the importance of self-control and inner calm, even when everything else seems to be in disarray.

Let’s bring this idea to life with a real-world example. Picture Sarah, a project manager at a tech company. Her team is working on a major product launch, and everything is set for a big reveal. But suddenly, there's a massive tech glitch that puts everything on hold. Now, Sarah can't control the glitch or the impact it has on the launch date. What she can control is her response. Instead of panicking or blaming others, she takes a deep breath, gathers her team, and shifts focus to troubleshooting the problem. She stays calm, communicates clearly, and leads her team through the crisis. By governing herself, Sarah turns a potentially disastrous situation into a learning experience and keeps her team motivated and focused.

So, how can you apply this in your life? It starts with awareness. Notice when you're getting worked up over things you can't control. Pause and breathe. Ask yourself, "Is this something I can change, or am I wasting energy on the unchangeable?" Focus on your reactions, your mindset, and what you can do next. This doesn’t mean ignoring problems, but rather tackling them with a clear head and steady heart.

Imagine you’re stuck in traffic on your way to an important meeting. You’ve done everything right, left on time, and now you’re at a standstill. You can’t control the traffic. You could fume and stress, but that won’t move the cars. Instead, govern yourself. Use the time to listen to an audiobook, practice deep breathing, or plan your talking points for the meeting. You’ll arrive calmer—maybe even with some new insights.

Or think about a more personal scenario. Picture a family gathering where an old argument flares up. You can't control your uncle's stubbornness or your cousin's temper. But you can govern your reactions. Choose not to engage in the argument. Redirect the conversation or excuse yourself for a moment. You maintain your peace and maybe even set a better example.

In essence, the key lies in accepting what we can't control and mastering what we can—ourselves. It’s a practice, not a one-time fix. But with time, you’ll find that focusing on self-governance not only makes you more resilient but also often positively influences the events and people around you. So next time life throws you a curveball, remember: you can’t govern the pitch, but you can choose how to swing.