"شما بر ذهن خود قدرت دارید نه اتفاقات بیرونی"

The essence of the quote is that while we can't control everything that happens around us, we have the ultimate say over how we think and react. Imagine your mind like a radio. You get to choose the station—whether it's positive, negative, or somewhere in between. What happens outside, like the weather or other people’s actions, is beyond your control. But how you tune your thoughts and emotions? That’s all you.

Historically, this wisdom goes back to the Stoic philosophy. Think of Marcus Aurelius, the Roman Emperor. He wrote this kind of stuff in his journal, "Meditations," around 180 AD. He was basically saying that despite all the chaos of running an empire, his mind was his own. The world around him could be falling apart, but his inner peace was off-limits to external events.

Now, picture this: You’re stuck in traffic. You’re gonna be late to work. You can’t control the cars, the honking, or the time. Frustration bubbles up. But then you remember—you control your mind. You can choose to fume and stress, which won’t get you there any faster, or you can take a deep breath and pop on your favorite podcast. That’s a real-life application. You’re deciding how to react internally to an external event, and that makes all the difference.

So how do you actually use this wisdom in your daily life? Start small. Next time you’re in a stressful situation, pause. Take a moment to consider your reaction. Are you getting worked up over something you can’t control? Shift your focus to what's within your power. Maybe it’s your attitude, your efforts, or simply acknowledging your emotions without letting them dictate your actions.

Here’s a story to bring this home: Imagine Sarah, a project manager. She’s just received feedback on a presentation, and it’s pretty harsh. Instantly, she feels a rush of defensiveness and anger. Her first thought is to lash out or shut down. But then she recalls this idea. She takes a deep breath and tells herself, “I can't control their opinions, but I can control how I respond.” Instead of reacting impulsively, she asks for specifics on how she can improve. This not only defuses the tension but also opens a path for growth. By focusing on what she can control—her response and willingness to learn—Sarah turns a potentially negative situation into a constructive one.

So, next time life throws you a curveball, remember—you hold the remote control to your mind. Outside events are just that: outside. Your thoughts, reactions, and peace of mind? Those are in your hands. And that’s pretty empowering, don’t you think?