Isn't it often that we blame others when life doesn't go our way? Our colleague for a missed deadline, our friend for forgetting an arrangement, and even traffic for making us late.

Epictetus is offering a different perspective here: maybe it's not them, maybe it's us. Aren't we the ones who chose to depend on others, who didn't leave earlier for our appointment, who allowed external situations to dictate our mood?

When you feel yourself growing impatient or upset, ask: “Is it truly someone else's doing or is it my own perspective that's causing the pain?”

Taking a moment to shift the blame from outward circumstances to inward thinking can help us exercise more control over our emotions.

You'll find that doing so can be surprisingly empowering.