"The left hand is useless at almost everything, for lack of practice. But it guides the reins better than the right. From practice." Life was such that it was required of me to relearn to use the left in mid-life. Strategy and "practice" allowed me to thrive. Can't say it gets easier, but those truly willing to stay fully "in it" will move boulders, stay focused, remain standing ...whatever it takes to reap life's rewards.
The old rival really resonates with me. Someone who is my equal or better at first, then I slowly overcome. I do feel the big invisible enemy when starting, but I have always won. I guess I gotta keep winning! Thanks so much for this outlook. I needed this today.
I've always thought stoicism encompassed the most useful insights about living the 'good life' (in theAristotelian sense.) As I understand stoicism its fundamental principle is accepting how things are. If human beings were essentially rational creatures who needed a bit of prodding here and there stoicism would be a good fit. But they are not- they're essentially emotional thinkers. And as the brilliant Christopher Hitchens pointed out, you can reason people out of what they're not reasoned into.
Stoicism requires a precondition - each individual must understand the workings of their own mind. And that requires a deep dive beneath 'conceptual knowing' into what the wisdom traditions understood. How language shapes our perception of 'how things are,' for example, has much to do with our misunderstandings, the ones stoicism attempts to remedy.
"The left hand is useless at almost everything, for lack of practice. But it guides the reins better than the right. From practice." Life was such that it was required of me to relearn to use the left in mid-life. Strategy and "practice" allowed me to thrive. Can't say it gets easier, but those truly willing to stay fully "in it" will move boulders, stay focused, remain standing ...whatever it takes to reap life's rewards.
This kept me going today. Thank you.
Thank you!
Great post.
The old rival really resonates with me. Someone who is my equal or better at first, then I slowly overcome. I do feel the big invisible enemy when starting, but I have always won. I guess I gotta keep winning! Thanks so much for this outlook. I needed this today.
The logic put forward is sound. The adolescent decision to use gutter language is regrettable.
Sometimes one needs to make a certain point and using such language can be quite useful and striking if used sparingly and timely.
I've always thought stoicism encompassed the most useful insights about living the 'good life' (in theAristotelian sense.) As I understand stoicism its fundamental principle is accepting how things are. If human beings were essentially rational creatures who needed a bit of prodding here and there stoicism would be a good fit. But they are not- they're essentially emotional thinkers. And as the brilliant Christopher Hitchens pointed out, you can reason people out of what they're not reasoned into.
Stoicism requires a precondition - each individual must understand the workings of their own mind. And that requires a deep dive beneath 'conceptual knowing' into what the wisdom traditions understood. How language shapes our perception of 'how things are,' for example, has much to do with our misunderstandings, the ones stoicism attempts to remedy.
I've been posting on 'How Language Works' if you're interested. Howardhertz.substack.com