Circumstances Don't Care

You shouldn’t give circumstances the power to rouse anger, for they don’t care at all. —MARCUS AURELIUS, MEDITATIONS

I remember as a kid riding the bus to school wondering how everyone around me was so happy while I felt impending doom. Maybe I was hiding it well. Maybe they didn't care. One thing is sure: whatever I was dreading didn't care.

It's always interesting how fear and anger eventually subside. Then I walk away as if nothing was ever wrong. What is that all about? Why did I ever let those emotions get hold of me so strongly?

The circumstances: the new job, speech, nasty colleague. They can't tend to my feelings. They can't put their arm me and tell me it will be okay. All they can do is sit there and wait for me to engage. And when I engage, I can either be in control of my emotions or let the circumstances dictate them for me.