Acceptance

It can't always go your way

The Fates guide the person who accepts them and hinders the person who resists them

Cleanthes

Imagine the amount of energy squandered fighting a losing battle. The stubborn parent who will always see you as the little child who threw fits when they didn’t get what they wanted. The narcissistic friend who never is psychologically capable of admitting their faults. The unpaid taxes government is demanding payment for at the end of the year. In all of these examples, it’s safe to say one can win the battle for respect, correctness, or money. The question becomes, is it worth it? Is it worth going to a school you hate for a career you hate even more, just so your parents will respect you? Is it worth arguing with your narcissistic friend so they’ll potentially admit you’re correct? Is starting a revolution worth it so you don’t have to pay your yearly taxes?

Imagine how much more resourceful your life would be if you used all that wasted energy to solve problems you can change. Who cares who doesn’t respect you, who doesn’t agree with you, or who takes your money from you? They can do all of that and more, but the one thing you hold all the power over is your mind. This is your most powerful asset. And yet how easily you hand it over to anyone and everyone with an opinion or authority. You can respect yourself, you can agree with yourself, and you can manage your attachment to things outside of your reasoned choice. What more do you need?