Marcus Aurelius: Whatsoever doth happen unto thee, thou…

When something difficult arrives, our first thought is often, I cannot handle this. Sometimes that is a signal to get help, rest, or change course. But often it is just the mind reacting before it has tested its own strength. You have already survived days you once thought would break you: a rejection, a frightening diagnosis, a move, a betrayal, a loss. The fact that this situation is painful does not prove it is unbearable. Marcus draws a useful distinction. If something truly exceeds your capacity, respond wisely and seek support. If it is within your capacity, stop arguing with its existence and begin carrying it. The strength to bear a thing usually appears in the bearing of it, not in advance. Today, trade the question ‘Why is this happening?’ for ‘What is the next bearable step?’