I'm reading a book on the stoics. This morning I read about the practices that Epictetus recommended in order to embody the teachings. The goal is to live a successful and virtuous life. It occurred to me that we don't have such organized teachings, such schools, these days in most places so that people learn how to control themselves and focus their lives in order to achieve their goals and goodness for themselves and all.
Rather I see a more self-centered focus for most people. I rarely hear people stop to say such things as — how will my actions affect others; how will they affect society; how will they affect the future? Is this a virtuous choice? Can I feel at peace if I do this? Is it helpful and kind? Does it do no harm? I hear people blaming other people - you upset me - as if someone else is in charge of our peace of mind. I hear people trying to shut down people who have different points of view than them or different belief systems or different customs. It's as if they want to homogenize the planet to be just like them.
Epictitus recommended thinking about one of your heroes, and his example was Socrates - what would Socrates think or do here? For me , I ask myself what would Jesus think or do here? How does this thought or choice line up with my hero, my role model?
All of this requires self-introspection and willingness to change, to be a better person. It is a lifelong project for sure. Even as we try to become more and more conscious and purposeful in our lives, we slip and fall sometimes. It's important to give ourselves grace, pick ourselves up, dust ourselves off, and go for it again.
Give yourself and the world a gift — be the very best person you can be.
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