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Be Marcus Aurelius. Become a stoic. Think more of virtue than of success. Success is a hollow word, like in nutrition “it’s an empty calorie”. Rather focus on
by ak39 9y ago
Be Marcus Aurelius.
Become a stoic.
Think more of virtue than of success. Success is a hollow word, like in nutrition “it’s an empty calorie”. Rather focus on the virtues of your life. Those are life-giving, filled with “soul nutrients”.
So ... dammit man:
Feed the cat.
Take the dog for a walk.
If that’s all you do today, you made it.
Help a struggling neighbour make that rent payment just this month - do it anonymously. No one needs to know. Certainly not him!
Call your mom.
Tell your Dad you understand.
Call your sister/brother - ask if you can help in any way you can - then help.
Try to read Robert Sapolsky - he says you really don’t have free will - crazy man - it’s rather comforting to forgive yourself thoughtfully. He is a great man actually.
Forgive. Force a smile when thoughts of failure intrude. “Eyebrow” as you pass someone today with a friendly but subtle smile. (You don’t want to be creepy)
Listen to Carl Sagan’s “Pale blue dot” speech. Then watch the Cosmos series - both the new and old ones. See if that makes you feel you’re worrying about the right stuff.
Finally, be like Francisco Goya and “paint” (write software, build a house, make music, write a poem) ONLY for yourself. Begin with the intention that your work will never be allowed to be judged by another. Keep it hidden. Chip at it everyday.
Hit the cool pillow every evening imagining that just ONE more day is good enough for you to fill it up with things like the above. Perhaps even better ones.
- mrhappyunhappy 9y agoBeautiful! Have a wonderful day!!!
- gf263 9y agoLovely comment. FWIW - I found the Enchidrion (http://www.ideonautics.net/manual2.htm http://www.ideonautics.net/manual2.htm) to be the best introduction to Stoic philosophy.
- castle-bravo 9y agoI've been spending too much time on HN; when I read 'Enchidrion', my first thought was that was a new cryptocoin.
- ljw1001 9y agoSeneca's Letters on Ethics is wonderful, also. Such an extraordinary writer, and such a lovely edition. https://www.amazon.com/Letters-Ethics-Lucilius-Complete-Annaeus/dp/022626517X https://www.amazon.com/Letters-Ethics-Lucilius-Complete-Anna...
- protonimitate 9y agoGreat insight. Been down and overwhelmed lately.It's easy to get stuck in grind mode and not take time to look around and remember what actually matters.
- ak39 9y agoI would think like this. Is my "grind": 1) About filling up a bucket that has a hole in it (same shit different day type of thing?) OR is my grind 2) About a journey I am on - and I've got a steep gradient ahead, a puncture or maybe I'm out of gas? If it is 1, then please, my dearest friend, either make it strictly a 9-5 affair or find another job. I just visited my cousin in hospital who was admitted after he collapsed with cardiac arrhythmia while at dinner with his family. He's been working too hard at his new job, 4-5 hours of sleep every night and two hours commute. If it is 2, and the end is worth it, take a break. Replenish your commitment and march on through hell. (Exercise, especially HIIT, helps with energy levels) Arete!
- ashwinaj 9y ago> Be Marcus Aurelius. Become a stoic. Great advice. I was naturally stoic, but the daily rigors were chipping away my stoicness. A book I'd recommend reading "A Guide to the Good Life: The Ancient Art of Stoic Joy" to reset your thinking and paying attention to what is really important in life.