No one can steal your happiness unless you hand it over.
Marcus Aurelius thought of a calm, clear mind as a citadel: a fortress inside you that no one else can storm. Other people can make life hard. They can take your time, your money or your position. But they can't get inside unless you open the gate.
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The mind without passions is a fortress. No place is more secure.
MARCUS AURELIUS
No one can steal your happiness. No one can take your joy. It is yours to keep, or to give up.
Guard it fiercely, nurture it daily and never surrender it to forces beyond your control.
TRY THIS TODAY
Notice one moment today when you're about to hand your mood to someone else: a rude driver, a sharp email, a bad headline. Keep it instead.
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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