Imagine going through your day like an unshakable mountain amidst a raging storm—events swirl around you, but you remain steady and calm.

That’s what Marcus Aurelius is getting at with this profound piece of wisdom. He's reminding us that circumstances don’t actually hold power over us; it’s our reaction to those circumstances that matters. It’s not what happens, but how you interpret and respond to what happens, that shapes your experience of life.

When you find yourself frustrated in traffic, stressing out over a deadline, or irritated by a rude comment, ask yourself: Is this situation truly problematic, or is it my judgment that’s making it so?

Now, instead of being a passive recipient of life’s caprices, see yourself as the active director of your own mental state. It’s like stepping back from a painting to see the whole picture rather than getting lost in the details.

By reframing the moments that unsettle us and choosing not to cast them as disasters, we "escape" those circumstances.

So, the next time you feel overwhelmed, ask: What judgments can I cast out right now to navigate through this calmly?

You might find that the power to remain tranquil was within you all along, just waiting for you to take control.