Play Your Assigned Role
“This is your business—to act well the given part, but to choose it belongs to another.”
—Epictetus
Enchiridion
Imagine you're playing a role in a play and the script is handed to you; you didn't write the lines, but you’re tasked with performing them to the best of your ability.
In life, we're often given roles—employee, parent, friend—that we might not have chosen, but what truly matters is how we embody these roles. Think about it: How often do you stress over the parts you play instead of focusing on acting them out with excellence?
So, the next time you find yourself wrestling with the circumstances of your life, remember that while you can't always choose your part, you can choose how you play it.
Will you approach your given roles with grumbling reluctance, or will you take the stage with purpose and enthusiasm?
Whether it's tackling a mundane task at work or listening to a friend in need, act well. Your performance in these moments defines the quality of your life's play.