Hard concept to get your head around because many (not all) are a result of actions taken by others and yourself - cascading to an event that seems surprising. Take a polarizing topic like war for an example: Today, most people in countries on the winning side of monetary manipulation, turn a blind eye to those on the losing side. In fact, by trying to protect themselves and their families by trying to make a high enough return from within that system, and turning a blind eye to the hidden consequences, they in turn divide society further…making the “war” inevitable - yet fail to see it was at least “in part” their own actions. “A butterfly flaps its wings somewhere……”

Besides that and maybe more to your point. Bad things happen (to everyone) but we still have agency over our thoughts. Have you ever noticed that in life something happens and the reaction to the thing is very different among different people - with some people living a “bad things always happen to me” Seemingly making it that true (because to them it is) while others “accepting the thing” move on with gratitude for what they have. (And create a different reality for themselves)

The latter group likely having a greater positive impact on others through their “beliefs” than the former.

And connect each of the above paragraphs to “a sum total of all our individual actions” and it shows how much we - through a fabric of thoughts, ideas, and actions determine our individual and collective future.