The Real Power You Have

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Power is one of those words that gets thrown around a lot, but most of the time, we confuse it with control—control over others, over outcomes, over how life unfolds. But as Epictetus reminds us, real power doesn’t come from status, wealth, or recognition. It comes from mastering the only thing that truly belongs to us: our judgments.

This week, I’ve been wrestling with that idea. Because, honestly, there’s so much I don’t control—how others behave, what happens at work, or even how I feel some mornings when getting out of bed feels heavier than it should. I can’t pretend I’ve embraced the Stoic ideal completely. I still find myself reacting, getting frustrated, wishing things were different. But I’m starting to see that even in those moments of struggle, there’s a choice. I can keep giving my peace away to circumstances I can’t change, or I can redirect that energy inward—to how I interpret, respond, and carry myself through it.

It’s not about pretending everything happens for a reason or finding meaning in every hardship. Some things just hurt, and that’s okay. But beneath all of it, I do have one steady source of strength: the ability to decide what those moments mean to me, and how I’ll move forward from them.

True power isn’t loud. It’s not about being unshakable all the time. It’s the quiet, internal steadiness that says, “I can meet whatever comes next.” And maybe that’s enough—not to control life, but to stop letting it control me.

Thank you for listening and joining me on my journey of self-discovery!
Mediations and Prompts influenced from The Daily Stoic Books

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