Fighting Beside Seneca

So here is a hard lesson… what you want to do does not matter. Sorry, but it’s true. People live their lives filled with wants, dreams, and “someday”s that never actually get their time, energy, and focus. The simple truth is that the only thing that matters is what you decide to do. Let’s get clear on the word “decide”. Webster offers a couple of definition options (and they pair really well here!): a) to make a FINAL choice; b) to select as a course of ACTION. (Personally, I think “decide” is the most powerful word in the language, but more on that later) Wanting to do something, if not irrelevant, is but step 1. There is enormous power, however, in deciding to do something, because only then do you have finality & action. In finality, the choice has been made. You have moved from the hypothetical to the specific, from “I want (hope, dream…)” to “I am”. This allows for focus and the setting aside of other options and distractions. The goal has been defined. In action, you ha...

Seneca, the Roman statesman and Stoic philosopher, wrote those words to a friend in response to his letter detailing numerous complaints. Complaints about people behaving like people. Complaints about things not going his way. Seneca’s words are a play on Cicero’s line that “to live is to think”. While I suppose that may be true, life is certainly a fight. Everyday. If nothing else, you’re fighting against your worse inclinations… anger, fear, envy, and for your best… kindness, courage, wisdom, self-control. Hopefully, we’ll explore these ideas a bit here.