“True happiness is to enjoy the present, without anxious dependence upon the future, not to amuse ourselves with either hopes or fears but to rest satisfied with what we have, which is sufficient, for he that is so wants nothing. The greatest blessings of mankind are within us and within our reach. A wise man is content with his lot, whatever it may be, without wishing for what he has not.” –Seneca
“Dust in the wind, all we are is dust in the wind.” –Kansas
“We are the champions my friend, and we’ll keep on fighting til the end!” –Queen
Fate and impermanence are powerful concepts. I’ve dwelled upon them in my previous posts…just about all of them, in fact. You can find examples of this here, here, and here. If I am destined for failure, doomed to death, and my world will eventually crumble before me, what’s the point? Should I just throw in the towel? If we are all destined for misery, then why should I even try?
Should I just give up?
No, no, no! That is not my point! It is true that much struggle, much strife will befall us. It is also true that your existence, as well as that of all around you will be gone in no time. Face it, in about 100 years it will all be new people. 100 years…that’s a blink of an eye in the continuum of the 13.7 billion (or so) the universe has existed. For comparison, think of the age of the universe as a year. If you live to be 100 years, your life span would be less than second in that year (actually, about 0.23 seconds). So if our time is so short, then what does that mean? What is it you want to do with those 100 years…with that blink of your existence? How can I be a hero? Here are some suggestions:
13.7 Billion Years!
Master Brain Surgery!
It may take years, it may take much of your time, but find something you love and master it! It will make you proud, it will be worth it.
Listen!
You will notice more if you really pay attention. Remember, you only have 100 years so use every moment wisely.
No need to try them all, although you could in a 100 years, but maybe just try a few. So, even though fate will have its way with you, you can take it on with tenacity. You can be a hero if you put yourself to it.
…and you can be proud of it, because YOU made the effort!
“Men seek retreats for themselves, houses in the country, sea-shores, and mountains; and thou too art wont to desire such things very much. But this is altogether a mark of the most common sort of men, for it is in thy power whenever thou shalt choose to retire into thyself. For nowhere either with more quiet or more freedom from trouble does a man retire than into his own soul, particularly when he has within him such thoughts that by looking into them he is immediately in perfect tranquility.”–Marcus Aurelius
People spend a lot of money and time so they can get away on splendid vacations. They dream of places like Hawaii, Bermuda, St. Thomas, or maybe a get-away to Europe or Disney World! Why do they do this? I think everybody needs a little time to recharge the batteries, to gain a little clarity or put it all into perspective. Also, I think that the stories we collect from our “get-aways” can last us a lifetime.
For the most part, though, all of the benefit of a vacation is available to you right now. All you have to do is accept that it is all a game. It is all impermanent. Why are you chasing what you are chasing? To have luxury? So your kids will have riches or security? Will it help them? You might be unemployed, so you are stressed about that. You might have absolutely nothing. Most of you reading this have at least some level of subsistence, though. If you are reading this, at least you are alive, which is something for sure. Even those with some major struggles, have a little time for a vacation, even one for 5 minutes.
You can get away right now. Retire in your mind, and be grateful for all you have…for your life, your surviving family, the meal you will eat today. Take a nap, watch a show, read a book, watch a TV movie with the family. If only for a few minutes you can get away. Maybe simply to reflect on what is virtuous, or on the impermanence of existence.
Is this guy on a Staycation? (photo by Kimberly Vohsen)
As for vacation stories, your everyday life is full of them. Especially the small misfortune stories! These are the blessings. Like the time you backed into a pole, or your wife hit the side of the garage. What about the morning you put your shirt on inside-out or backwards? Yesterday, my daughter came down dressed in green-striped pants, with a pink and yellow checkered shirt. Now that’s a story! I collect vacations five minutes at a time.
I don’t think I could pull this look off.
In the end, you will be gone. Don’t let this frighten you, just know that what you are after, what you are stressing over might not be that important. Even if it is, you can take a break from it.
You can take your “Staycation.”
I must die. But must I die groaning? I must be imprisoned. But must I whine as well? I must suffer exile. Can any one then hinder me from going with a smile, and a good courage, and at peace?—Epictetus
“…Two roads diverged in a wood, and I, I took the one less traveled by, And that has made all the difference.” –Robert Frost from The Road Not Taken
Which path to take?
By taking the Stoic path, indeed I am separating myself from a great deal of humankind. Living a philosopher’s life, particularly a Stoic one, is certainly not the latest trend. The reflective life in general, doesn’t seem to match the everyday world around us. In fact, it may seem strange to those you interact with. If you intend to pursue the virtuous life vis-à-vis the Stoics, then keep the following in mind:
Seneca addressed this in his letter to Lucilius, from which the quote above was taken. Click here or on the quote to read the full letter. Your friends might even think you are crazy, but this is nothing new: click here, and here. The Stoics might have been ahead of their time, but maybe I can be like them and be a little crazy myself!
You could call it a lonely life, but remember it’s lonely at the top.
