Ultimately, we control our own reactions.

Think about how often your peace of mind is disrupted by external events—traffic jams, rude comments, or unexpected bills. These are all situations without the inherent power to dictate our emotional state. It’s not the snarled traffic or the sharp word that upsets us but rather the judgement we attach to them.

Our internal dialogue scripts a narrative around these annoyances and molds them into stressors. But what if you chose not to cast a judgment at all? The traffic is just traffic, not a personal affront or cosmic punishment.

Consider how freeing it would be to look at an irritating event and think, "This is neither good nor bad; it simply is." This approach puts you in the driver's seat of your own mind.

The next time something seemingly negative happens, pause before letting it shape your mood. Ask yourself, "Am I adding judgment to this neutral event and turning it into distress?" By refusing to do so, you maintain mental equilibrium.

Let the traffic flow as it will; let the words of others roll off your back. Their power over your peace of mind is only as strong as the verdict you pass upon them. Your serenity lies in that moment of choice.