If life feels tranquil merely because we’ve been lucky enough to avoid challenges, Seneca suggests that this isn’t real serenity.

True tranquility, according to him, is forged in the fire of hardship. It's easy to feel at ease when circumstances favor us, but real composure is revealed when the winds of fortune shift. Think about it: when was the last time you faced a difficulty head-on? How did you react? Was your calmness resilient, or did it crumble?

Daily life gives us ample opportunities to test our equanimity. The next time you encounter a setback, minor irritant, or even a full-blown crisis, see it as a chance to strengthen your resolve.

Instead of seeking empty calm, embrace these moments. The traffic jam, the critical feedback from your boss, even the spilled coffee on your white shirt—each of these is an opportunity to practice maintaining true tranquility.

How will you respond when life stirs you up next? Will you remain unshaken, or will you find that your calm was simply a flat calm waiting to be disrupted?