I know many people are grappling with high levels of anxiety right now. However, in the grand scheme of things, none of this truly matters. If you can adopt a bird's-eye view, you'll likely agree. Those mired in the minutiae, however, will focus solely on their immediate problems.
Drawing wisdom from philosophers like Epictetus and Marcus Aurelius, the question arises: if you can't control something, why worry about it? And if you can control it, why are you worried?
Life is a series of changes—some good, some bad. There was a time early in my career when I was young, single, and thoroughly enjoying my job as an IT support technician. I had good friends; we'd go to lunch every day and have a gas. Once I earned my MCSE certification, I felt on top of the world. But in retrospect, did any of that truly matter? Maybe.
If I get laid off, I plan to launch the business idea I've been contemplating for years. If I end up working for Broadcom, maybe I'll have the opportunity to pursue it as a side hustle. Or perhaps I won't have time for any of it. I've come to accept that what will be, will be.
So, let me leave you with a story and a simple piece of advice: stop worrying.
Once upon a time there was a Chinese farmer whose horse ran away. That evening, all of his neighbors came around to commiserate. They said, “We are so sorry to hear your horse has run away. This is most unfortunate.” The farmer said, “Maybe.”
The next day the horse came back bringing seven wild horses with it, and in the evening everybody came back and said, “Oh, isn’t that lucky. What a great turn of events. You now have eight horses!” The farmer again said, “Maybe.”
The following day his son tried to break one of the horses, and while riding it, he was thrown and broke his leg. The neighbors then said, “Oh dear, that’s too bad,” and the farmer responded, “Maybe.”
The next day the conscription officers came around to conscript people into the army, and they rejected his son because he had a broken leg. Again all the neighbors came around and said, “Isn’t that great!” Again, he said, “Maybe.”