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View submission: Drop Everything And Read: Week 2
Day 6
Date: 3 April, Tuesday
Time: 11:40pm to 12:00am
Book: The Art of Living by Epictetus, translation/interpretation by Sharon Lebell
Progress: 0 to 42%
Felt lazy to read today but it was a case of "sayang naman my streak" plus "andyan naman na" with my Kindle already at arm's reach on my bed. So looked for something light for tonight. Never thought I'd think of an ancient philosopher as light reading, but this version is rather modern. It reminds me of the kindly but firm tone of Paul's letters in the New Testament, in a NIV or even CEV. It's a bunch of good advice grouped into loose categories, with some overlap or repetition in topics, but in a good reminder kind of way.
20 minutes was just enough before my mind started straying. I highlighted a lot of things and in this case wish I had the actual paper copy so it would be easier to have it near me and just randomly flip through.
Some of the ideas of this kind of philosophy (stoicism) are: know what you can and cannot control. Give your best at what you can control, and come to terms with what is outside you power. (Yeah sounds like the Serenity Prayer. The author also mentions the similarity.)
You can't control events but what you can control is your reaction to them. The trick is to react in a way like what if it happened to your neighbor. "Remaining detached and avoiding melodramatic reactions."
Sad things to think about: nothing is permanent, we should not get attached, whether to a favorite mug, because then we'll be sad if it breaks. Or to a family member, because death is part of life and it would be unreasonable to wish they'd live forever.
Something about freedom not actually meaning being able to do whatever we want, but comes from "understanding [and accepting] the limits of our own power and the natural limits [of the world]". So like, have reasonable expectations and you're less likely to be disappointed.
Nice quote: "If you find yourself in conversation with someone who is depressed, hurt, or frustrated, show them kindness and give them a sympathetic ear; just don't allow yourself to be pulled down too."
There's nothing here!