Panic is self-inflicted harm. Can you think of a single situation which has been improved by panic? The problem with panic is that it creates danger, and limits our ability to function effectively. It prevents us from finding success and seeing objectively, or worse, it makes us weaker over time.

“Remember, it’s always possible to make a problem worse. Panic does that. Worry does that. Fear does that.”

By all means, it’s important to understand what’s going in the world, but there’s a difference between being informed vs being inundated - recession, inflation, interest rates, rental crisis, debt, Ukraine/Russia, Israel/Hamas, US political dysfunction, the worry list goes on. Despite the demise of Covid, the world seems like a dangerous place lately.

So if you find yourself getting caught-up in the relentless new cycles, you have an important decision to make. Will you give-in to the very justifiable temptation to dwell on world events, putting plans on hold until the dust settles, and perhaps in the process neglect the small daily miracles sitting right in front of you?

Or will you choose, as Roman stoic Epictetus put’s it, to “rule the empire between your ears”, and own your thoughts, emotions, fears and desires?

If you can find the confidence, courage, and discipline to consciously to step back from fear and worry (and rule the empire between your ears), you’ll truly be free.

Enjoy your weekend!

Rick Maggi.