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How To Try to Meet Life as It Is, Not as We Wish It Were.
“Happiness and freedom begin with a clear understanding of one principle: Some things are within our control, and some things are not.” — Epictetus.
Many frustrations come from the gap between reality and expectation. People want fairness in an unfair world, permanence in a changing one, and certainty where none exists. Resistance to reality creates suffering.
This struggle is as old as human thought. Philosophers, religious leaders, and thinkers across cultures have tried to address the challenge of facing life as it truly is.
Some have advocated detachment, others have encouraged faith, and others have focused on self-mastery.
The common thread in these perspectives is that suffering often comes from within, not external circumstances.
People form expectations based on personal desires, social conditioning, and past experiences. When life aligns with these expectations, they feel satisfied. When it does not, frustration arises.
This reaction is natural, but it is also problematic. It assumes that life should unfold according to a personal script, even though the world operates by its own rules.
Think of someone who works hard and expects recognition. If appreciation comes, they feel validated…
