Earlier quoted context omitted.
You do not have zero control over the perception others have of you. Our culture is not so heterogeneous that you can't predict what the majority will think of a given outfit you might wear, for example. Granted, the control is indirect: You have zero control over what people would think of you if you were to wear corduroys and a Hawaiian shirt, but you can control if you wear corduroys and a Hawaiian shirt.
Indirect control is the same as no control. If I try to project what others may think, I am attempting to trick myself into thinking I have control of the situation. I don't. My emotional response to "what others think" is something I can control. Therefore, I chose not to emotionally attach "what others think" to my thoughts to the best of my ability. I can only control my thoughts and the actions borne from those t…
I couldn't disagree more
> I can only control my thoughts and the actions borne from those thoughts.
This part I completely agree with. If one doesn't at least try to attempt to work out the consequences of the actions borne from those thoughts, then one is being irresponsible.
If you walk into a bar, pick the largest drunk man in there and call his mother a whore, then there's a decent chance you will get punched. You did not punch yourself in the face, but to pretend that you had no control over this consequence is ridiculous.