In the end, the only thing you control is you.
People are complicated. People are contradictory. People have limitations and flaws. They'll inspire you one moment and utterly disappoint you the next. The person who disappointed you, who you disagree with on nearly everything, may one day surprise you with some moment of principled bravery, and then go right back to being the things you dislike.
You can't let this confuse you. You can't let it disillusion you either, and you shouldn't let it make you upset. You have to learn to take it in stride, which isn't the same as accepting it or agreeing with it. The more it throws you off your game, the more power it gives them, and the more power it takes away from you.
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A Stoic doesn't waste energy wishing people were different. A Stoic uses their energy to stay steady, to stay good, to stay in control.
Because in the end, the only thing you control is you.
TRY THIS TODAY
Think of one person you keep wishing would change. Today, stop spending energy on that wish and put it into something you can control.
Much of what I've learned about Stoicism comes from Ryan Holiday. Find more of his writing at dailystoic.com and ryanholiday.net.
While I have edited much of this content, there are some cases where I have taken Ryan Holiday's words directly. I've included them because I think they are powerful and will be helpful for you. They are also helpful for me, and I've put them here so I can learn and understand more myself.
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