Do not fear omens
Principle 18 from the Enchiridion
Return to the facts and the choice in front of you. A bad sign or frightening story cannot make the decision for you unless you let it.
Original Passage
When a raven happens to croak unluckily, don't allow the appearance hurry you away with it, but immediately make the distinction to yourself, and say, "None of these things are foretold to me; but either to my paltry body, or property, or reputation, or children, or wife. But to me all omens are lucky, if I will. For whichever of these things happens, it is in my control to derive advantage from it."
Modern Interpretation
Epictetus warns us not to hand our minds over to signs, rumors, or frightening stories. We can build an entire panic around something before we know whether it will happen.
That does not mean every event will be pleasant. It means that even a bad situation may leave room to judge carefully and act well. The question is not whether the world is on your side, but whether you can still choose a reasonable response.
In Practice
You read alarming news before a major decision and begin to treat it as proof that everything will go wrong.
Pause and return to what you can do. Gather the facts, ask for relevant advice, and make the decision as carefully as you can. The news may matter, but it does not get to make the decision for you.
Reflection Question
What frightening story has started to feel like a fact lately, even though it has not happened?