Face your sorrow not by ignoring it or by refusing to reflect on it, but by engaging with it thoughtfully.

To be free from grief, Epictetus encourages us not to act like animals who can’t comprehend loss, or like senseless individuals who won’t confront it, but rather as virtuous people who use reason to process and understand our pain.

Think about the last time you felt overwhelmed by grief. Did you try to push it away or pretend it wasn’t there, or did you allow yourself to feel it and contemplate its place in your life?

What if you looked at your grief through the lens of reason? For instance, if you're grieving a lost opportunity, ask yourself what can be learned from that experience. How can it make you stronger or wiser?

This approach doesn't mean your pain will disappear, but it provides a way through it. When sadness strikes, do you give yourself the space to ponder what this loss means in the grand scope of your life, how it shapes your character, and how it can lead to personal growth?

Use grief as a tool for reflection, allowing your rational mind to be the soothing balm for your sorrow, guiding you towards tranquility.