XV. Don't Suffer More Than Necessary
Let life run its natural course.
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“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 us, our relationships, the business. Or the new job we've started.
We don't want to get caught by surprise when life disappoints us. When a valuable item is stolen. When we get laid off from the cool job we’ve always wanted.
This practice primes us to live with confidence because we're well prepared to adapt in case anything bad happens.
We want the peace of mind that comes from the wisdom Seneca shared with his friend Lucillus.
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, shipwreck. All the terms of our human lot should be before our eyes.”
However, premeditation becomes a vice when we live paranoid, always looking out for our backs. When we're unable to focus on the present moment and all the good, joy, and love in it.
For if fate decides our good life will soon come crushing down, then it will at its own time and we'll deal with it amicably — as we've always done.
We don't sabotage what’s working to prove we were right. Neither do we avoid or half-ass it because we think it might cushion us from getting hurt — because then we’re not living.
Besides, whether we put our all in it or not and it fails, it'll hurt the same — perhaps more because we weren't committed to it, knowing it was worth the effort.
Yet, we'll regret because deep down we know we didn't do our best. The pride of being a good man won’t cushion us from the storm of grief.
So, contemplate bad outcomes and create contingencies. But let life run its natural course. Focus on what you control, that's your business. What's real will prosper.
And remember this beautiful moment is all you're assured.
Cast your worries aside and enjoy it. All of it.
See you tomorrow. xo
A.V