The Rev

"Do not seek to bring things to pass in accordance with your wishes, but wish for them as they are, and you will find them."

"First say to yourself what you would be; and then do what you have to do."

"If you want to improve, be content to be thought foolish and stupid."

"No man is free who is not master of himself."

"There is only one way to happiness and that is to cease worrying about things which are beyond the power of our will."



Epictetus was a greek Stoic philosopher who lived in Rome in the early days of the Empire. I found what he had to say very interesting, as it almost reflects a Buddhist manner of thinking. He never actually wrote anything himself, but had a pupil who took down everything he said and compiled it into a volume of Discourses, which you can read here if you like:

The Internet Classics Archive | The Discourses by Epictetus

I especially like his view that happiness is achieved by learning to accept things which one cannot control, and to not neglect the things which one can. I have tried, myself, to adopt this view, and when I've been successful (being prone to worry as I am), I have been happier.



The Rev

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verklingen

thanks for sharing this rev, i'm interested to see what this guy was about

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“Be kind, for everyone you meet is fighting a hard battle.”

hijabihippie

"God, grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change.
Courage to change the things I can, and the wisdom to know the difference."
--Serenity Prayer, from Alcoholics Anonymous (I believe)

This has a similar feel, it seems to me.

The Rev

That occurred to me as well. There is alot of wisdom in that saying, even if it is as cliched as kum bah ya.



The Rev

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~1~

These directly contradict themselves, the first one says to take shit as it comes and the next says to go make those changes happen

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verklingen

well let's say that you wish to be a caring father. you already are a father, so if you match your desire with this reality you're good with that. then to become a caring father is to simply act with care toward your children. you have now both made peace with the situation and created the situation you desire.

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“Be kind, for everyone you meet is fighting a hard battle.”

The Rev

Quiet, you!



The Rev

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kitch

I think that's the first time I've ever seen rev use the angry face.

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The Rev

I use it all the time, goddammit!



The Rev

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