Fix It or Accept It

Marcus Aurelius allowed himself two responses to any problem. If it can be changed, change it. If it can’t, accept it.

What he doesn’t do, is complaining.

Complaining feels like action. It has energy, an audience, sometimes applause. But it doesn’t produce anything. The problem stays the same. You’ve just lived it twice - once when it happened and once in the retelling. And you’ve handed your listeners a share of it too.

The Stoics weren’t against noticing problems. They were against narrating them instead of answering them.

Next time you hear yourself starting a complaint, pause and ask the only question that matters. Can I do something about this?

Yes means do it. No means let it go.

Say the complaint out loud only if you’re ready to also say what you’ll do about it.