If you internalize that as a mental model, then when you face unfairness, bad luck, or failure, you won’t take it personally — and you won’t get stuck.
Instead, you’ll recognize it as part of how the universe works.
And from that mindset, your job becomes finding your way through it by:
- looking at the situation from multiple perspectives
- updating your expectations and assumptions
- changing your approach
- and trying again
I know its not natural for us to react this way by default.
But those who do manage to change their defaults often get rewarded by the universe.
This mindset also reflects the heart of Stoic thinking — from Marcus Aurelius, Seneca, and Epictetus:
“Learn the rules of the universe and live in harmony with them.”
p.s. This story reminded me of some great books I read a few years ago:
- The Obstacle Is the Way — by Ryan Holiday
- The Art of Living — by Epictetus