When it comes to stress and its impacts on us, indeed the old adage shows itself true: “As one thinks within oneself, so one is.”  How we think about ourselves while under stress is perhaps the most important factor in determining if we will manage stress or if stress will manage us.

Marcus Aurelius had this to say: “You have power over your mind, not outside events.  Realize this and you will find strength.”  He also stated, “The universe is change; our life is what our thoughts make it.”

Most people perceive change of almost any kind as a loss, as a disruption.  Yet there are those who perceive change as an opportunity for gain and growth.  These two types of people may go through similar changes yet experience remarkably dissimilar impacts.

• There are people who experience divorce amicably, seeking to grow from it.
• There are people who experience job loss or job change positively, seeking possibility in it.
• There are people who experience setbacks in health, finances, or relationships and yet do not lose a sense of purpose, optimism, and opportunity.

Below is one of the most important factors in one’s ability to manage stressful events and to grow from them: growth mindset.

Choosing to embrace the challenges and seek growth and strength turns difficult, burdensome, and even painful difficulties into adaptive opportunities.

• “Difficulties are, after all, simply problems to be overcome.” – Ernest Shackleton, who faced some of the greatest life-threatening difficulties imaginable, yet he and his team not only survived, they thrived.
• External things are not the problem. It’s your assessment of them. Which you can erase right now. – Marcus Aurelius

“Growth is the only evidence of life.” said John Henry Newman.  By changing how we think about problems, setbacks, and losses, the difficulty, burden, fear, and even pain can propel us toward growth and positive outcomes.  But we must choose our thoughts carefully.

Key take-away: What will you do today to begin seeing opportunity in the changes and challenges you will face?

Idea to consider:  First, stop the train of negative thoughts and emotions when you are under stress or facing difficulty.  William James, the great 19^th century philosopher, said this: “Our greatest weapon against stress is our ability to choose one thought over another.” When negative thoughts and emotions arise in you, stop for a moment and reframe your thinking.

“I can get through this, for I have gotten through difficult times before.  I can face this and overcome.  I can grow and change into a better person as I do.  This will be hard, and it may be painful, but I will get through it.”

As you think, so you will be.

Banner image via author, Red Lake River flood plain, Crookston, MN

No written content in this post is AI generated. The depiction of Marcus Aurelius is AI generated by author.