Be Wary of What You Let In
You cannot control the negativity around you, but you possess the absolute power to decide what enters the sanctuary of your mind.
"Drama, combat, terror, numbness, and subservience-every day these things wipe out your sacred principles, whenever your mind entertains them uncritically or lets them slip in." Marcus Aurelius, Meditations, 10.9
How much harder is it to do the right thing when you're surrounded by people with low standards? The television chatter creates a negative environment which makes it harder for people to maintain positive and empathetic attitudes. Your ability to concentrate on personal matters becomes more challenging when you get sidetracked by other people's conflicts and dramas.
People will experience these influences because they will encounter them despite their attempts to stay away from these forces. The moment we face these influences we can choose whether to let them enter our thoughts. People can control their mental boundaries because they decide which information they will permit to enter their minds. Your home can receive uninvited visitors who show up without invitation but you possess the power to refuse them entry to your dining space. You possess the ability to keep unwanted thoughts out of your mind.
Common Questions
Why is it so important to guard our minds?
People who experience continuous exposure to theatrical situations and fighting and negative emotional states will experience a decline in their personal standards. The situation makes it difficult to perform righteous actions and maintain an optimistic attitude while we work on our individual development.
Can we completely avoid negative influences?
We will encounter toxic influences and the personal problems of others at some point in our lives. The Stoic goal is not complete isolation, but rather building a strong mental filter to decide what gets to stay.
How should we treat uninvited negative thoughts?
Treat them exactly like uninvited guests at your home. The visitors who arrive at your door without your invitation give you the authority to decide whether to let them enter your home or to provide them with dining hospitality.
Your Key Takeaway: You control all aspects of your mental state. You will face both drama and negative situations throughout your life, but you alone decide which of these situations enters your life.