“Finally, therefore, remember your retreat into this little domain which is yourself,
and above all be not disturbed nor on the rack,
but be free and look at things
as a man,
a human being,
a citizen,
a creature that must die. And among what is most ready to hand into which you will look have these two:
> the one, that things do not take hold upon the mind, but stand without unmoved, and that disturbances come only from the judgement within;
> the second, that all that your eyes behold will change in a moment and be no more;
and of how many things you have already witnessed the changes, think continually of that.
The Universe is change, life is opinion.”
~
Take refuge in your inner, inviolable space.
What we see and hear must not disturb your soul. Objects, words and the actions of others are like echoes that must bounce like pebbles on a calm sea; they can only change you if you let them enter your mind and cause confusion.
Your disturbances do not come from the things themselves, but from the meaning you attach to them.