tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5843649415665206173.post6202050548995787257..comments2009-01-26T13:11:28.829-08:00Adam Khanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16826164866745323543noreply@blogger.comBlogger2125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5843649415665206173.post-23066701777377324792009-01-26T13:11:00.000-08:002009-01-26T13:11:00.000-08:00Well said, Mike!<BR/><BR/>The financial crisis is a great example.Adam Khanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16826164866745323543noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5843649415665206173.post-72947036435561679962009-01-26T05:16:00.000-08:002009-01-26T05:16:00.000-08:00Great post! <BR/><BR/>I've been reading Epictetus (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Epictetus) lately, which has focused my attention on the fact that nearly every bad thing that comes our way contains elements we cannot control and elements we can. <BR/><BR/>I've begun to notice that some people obsess almost exclusively on the things they cannot control as a form of escapism, or as a way to give themselves permission to take no action. <BR/><BR/>The financial crisis is a perfect example. People curse the politicians, Wall Street, the bankers, et al, and focus very little on their own ability to control how they think and feel about the crisis and what they can do themselves to improve their financial situation. <BR/><BR/>The Epictetan and stoic approach is to focus on and care about and take ownership of only the things we can control, and ignore those things beyond our control.Mikehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12533378885004989917noreply@blogger.com