The order of Marcus’ rules is revealing: he puts inner peace first, because turmoil distorts perception. When anxious, the mind scans for danger and confirms it; when angry, it hunts for insult; when ashamed, it searches for proof of inadequacy. In other words, emotional weather can function like tinted glass.
Therefore, cultivating an untroubled spirit is not escapism; it is the condition that lets you see accurately. Once the mind is quieter, the facts often look smaller, more specific, and more workable—an effect many people notice when revisiting a problem after sleep or a long walk. [...]
