X. Cast Your Worries Aside
Let life run its natural course.
“A man who suffers before it is necessary, suffers more than is necessary.” — Seneca
It's prudent to think of all the bad things that can happen to you, your relationships, the business. Or the new job you've started.
You don't want to get caught by surprise when life disappoints you. When a valuable item is stolen. When you get laid off from your job.
This practice primes you to live with confidence because you're well prepared to adapt in case anything bad happens.
You want the peace of mind that comes from what Seneca advised his friend Lucillus about the premeditation of evils.
What is quite unlooked for is more crushing in its effect, and unexpectedness adds to the weight of a disaster. This is a reason for ensuring that nothing ever takes us by surprise. We should project our thoughts ahead of us at every turn and have in mind every possible eventuality instead of only the usual course of events…Rehearse them in your mind: exile, torture, war, shipwr…
