Nobody Wears Shoes

“The chief task in life is simply this: to identify and separate matters so that I can say clearly to myself which are externals not under my control, and which have to do with the choices I actually control. Where then do I look for good and evil? Not to uncontrollable externals, but within myself to the choices that are my own.” -Epictetus, Discourses

“Everything can be taken from a man but one thing . . . to choose one’s attitude in any given set of circumstances.” -Viktor Frankl, Man’s Search For Meaning

“You have power over your mind, not outside events. Realize this, and you will find strength.” -Marcus Aurelius, Meditations

A consistent theme of this blog is embracing the Stoic principle that while we don’t control the events of our lives, we do control our outlook on these events. Here’s a story that reinforces this timeless wisdom (h/t to Sahil Bloom’s always excellent Curiosity Chronicle for providing)…

Two salesmen were sent by a shoe manufacturer to a rural part of India to investigate and report back on market potential.
​
The first salesman reported back, “There is no potential here. Nobody wears shoes.”
​
The second salesman reported back, “There is massive potential here. Nobody wears shoes.“

Exact same event.

Two completely different outlooks.

You get to choose.

And it is your choice that dictates everything that comes next.

So, what’s it gonna be? What choice will you make? What path will you take?