I’ve recently started reading Ryan Holiday‘s – The obstacle is the way. In it, Ryan draws from Stoic philosophers – Marcus Aurelius, Epictetus and Seneca. These Stoic philosophers’ letters, journal entries and lecture notes are from thousands of years ago and yet have stood the test of time.
Many leaders from around the world have drawn from these philosophers to guide their own lives. The names that Ryan mentions in his preface include Steve Jobs, Barack Obama, Thomas Edison and Margret Thatcher to name a few.
Many quotes have stuck with me but here is one of my favourites.
“In life our job first is this, to divide and distinguish things into two categories: externals i cannot control, but the choices I make with regard to them I do control. Where will I find good and bad? In me, in my choices”
Epictetus
Take the world’s and New Zealand’s situation. We are currently in lock-down for 4 weeks due to COVID 19, working from home everyday, your work hours might be reduced, you might not be able to get married, see a loved one for the last time or celebrate a special person’s birthday. Life could seem pretty bleak at the moment.
The empowering thing about this quote, this thought, this rule to live, is any situation you might be in, it gives you the control. It doesn’t require you to have any possession to be able to apply it. Any doctor to be able to prescribe it to you. Any job title to tell you what to do. It’s about what you can do today in your situation.
“I’m stuck at home for 4 weeks”, connect with loved ones from around the world. “My work hours have been reduced”, use that time to learn a new skill and the list goes on.
The choices you make empower you with the control and nobody can take that away from you.