Life is full of anxieties and fears and what ifs. And then we get to throw in existential dread to top it all off. Is it any wonder why most of us feel lucky when we make it through the day unscathed?

Life is chaotic enough without worrying about what others think of us. Yet still we manage to care more about their opinions than our own. We convince ourselves that without external validation, our feelings about ourselves don’t count.

One of the most powerful journeys I’ve embarked on in my life is the study of Stoicism. That’s an adventure for another day. All you need to know today is that I’ve learned to not concern myself with thoughts, opinions, and circumstances that are not within my control.

Becoming my own gatekeeper for what I allow to take up space in my mind has freed it to focus on personal growth and a sense of wellbeing that’s become rare over the decades.

It’s also opened my heart to becoming more empathetic to those around me. I can’t control how someone feels about their life, but I can decide how my words and actions make them feel.

When I speak with others, I try (try being the keyword, I’m far from perfect) to anticipate how what I’m saying and how I say it will affect their outlook. If I’m able to shape the way I speak and the way I show up to make someone else’s day a little bit better, I will make every effort to do so.

Life isn’t easy. I don’t get the impression it ever will be. But we have the power within us to help brighten the lives of those around us. We don’t need a grand gesture. Just a little more thought about how our words and actions might shape someone’s day.