You control events by ..
Epictetus said,'Whenever we face a situation we must decide what is up to us, in other words, what is and isn't under our control.
What isn't under our control, our parents, family , friends, the weather, the economy, our bodies, although we can diet and exercise, our deaths and just about everything else.
What is under our control, our opinions, judgements, perceptions and desires.
Aided by his pupil Marcus Aurelius saying,' The only power you have is over your mind, everything else is external. Remember this and you WILL gain strength.