up to us

Some things are up to us, and some are not,
the key to peace is to discern the lot.

Our opinions, motivation, desires and aversions,
are up to us, they are free from coercion.
But our body, property, and reputation,
are not in our power, nor our possessions.

And all that is beyond our doing,
is weak, slavish, subject to ruin.
For what is not our own, we cannot possess,
and to cling to it only brings us distress.

If you mistake the slavish for the free,
and what’s not yours as yours to be
you’ll lament and have a troubled mind,
and find fault with the cosmos and humankind.

But if we regard only what is our own as ours,
and what is not our own as not under our powers,
no coercion, no hindrance, we’ll find,
no fault, no accusation but peace of mind,
you’ll have no enemies, no one to blame,
you’ll do nothing against your own name.

Your will is yours, no one can take,
and in that freedom, you’ll find no mistake.
no one to accuse, no one to blame,
and we’ll live in peace, with no reason to shame.

No one can harm us if we let go of our fears,
and we’ll live a life free from troubles and tears.

We’ll have no enemy, no one to harm,
for no harm can touch us, we’ll remain calm,
living our lives with peace and contentment,
and no fault-finding, no need for resentment.

Let’s learn what’s up to us and what’s not,
and live our lives without a single wrong thought,
of control or power over what we can’t own,
to find true freedom in that which belongs.

(Based on Epictetus’ “Enchiridion”)

Listen to this song here: https://www.udio.com/songs/n4pBvixqMdQc7ufRNx25LA