Perception and Reality

The root cause of emotional suffering comes from worrying about things outside our control, whether something has not yet happened or has already happened.

The mind is responsible for creating the chains that keep us tied to our misfortunes, not society. Our perceptions create our reality, not external events. We are in control of our thoughts and, therefore, our suffering.

Humans can withstand great stress, and we can do the same by detaching and gaining perspective. This is the first step in overcoming emotional suffering.

Whatever problems or stress you are experiencing, detach from them.[¹]

Things outside of our control often cause stress. We can manage our focus and prioritize what is essential. This requires discipline and ownership. We all have biases and prejudice, but focusing on unimportant things can waste time. We must focus on necessary items and question how we use our time.

Practice the joy of missing out and be happy with what you already know. Remember that desires are endless, but needs are limited. Newer is only sometimes better. Practice saying “no” to things that don’t matter, so you can say “yes” to what does.

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[¹]: Jocko Willink (2020): (Amazon.com: Discipline Equals Freedom: Field Manual Mk1-MOD1 eBook : Willink, Jocko: Kindle Store)