Ever felt like life’s just an endless grind, like you’re pushing a massive rock up a hill forever?
Find out Stoic principles on finding joy in the struggle, learn how embracing life's challenges, like Sisyphus, leads to happiness and resilience.
Stoic Lessons on Perseverance
Life is pretty much like being Sisyphus, that mythological dude doomed to roll a boulder up a mountain for all eternity. Sounds exhausting, huh? Camus thinks we should picture Sisyphus as a happy guy. Weird, right? But it’s all about finding joy in the struggle, embracing the grind, and just keeping on.
1. Hug Your Fate, Don’t Fight It
You know how sometimes life throws lemons at you, and you’re like, ‘Why me?’
Well, the Stoics say, instead of getting mad, give those lemons a big ol’ hug. Sounds weird, right? But think about it: everything that happens – the good, the bad, and the ugly – is part of your story. Epictetus is like, “Stop wishing for things to go your way and just roll with them.” So next time you’re in a jam, remember it’s all part of the adventure. Love your journey, every single bit of it, even the sour lemons.
2. Stop the Whining! Start the Shining
Okay, so you’ve had a bad day, or things aren’t going as planned.
Marcus Aurelius says to ask yourself, “Can I handle this?” If yes, then just handle it, no fuss. Complaining doesn’t change anything; it just makes you feel worse. It’s like wearing wet socks – uncomfortable and totally unnecessary. So, dry off those socks, my friend, and walk the walk. Show life you’ve got what it takes to move past the grumbles and into the grooves.
3. Not the End of Your Story
Ever lost something and felt like it was the end of the world?
Epictetus throws in a reality check: it’s more like returning something you borrowed. Life’s full of comings and goings. Things and people come into our lives and leave, but the show goes on. Like in that show, Bojack Horseman, where they say, “Life’s a bitch and then you keep living.” So, when the going gets tough, remember, it’s just another scene in your epic life movie.
4. Don’t Just Sit There, Do Something!
Seneca’s all about taking action.
He’s like, “Why wait for tomorrow to live your best life?” If something’s bugging you, get up and do something about it. Perseverance isn’t about sitting quietly and taking hits; it’s about facing challenges head-on and finding your way through the storm. So lace up those boots and start marching towards a solution. Action is the best remedy for worry.
5. Ask for the Moon, Don’t Settle for the Stars
Epictetus says it’s time to stop selling yourself short.
You’ve got this one life, so why not make it fabulous? Don’t settle for just okay when you can have extraordinary. Sure, life’s tough, and sometimes just getting by feels enough, but deep down, you know you’re meant for more. Clean up your space, demand respect, and go after what you deserve. And hey, if you’re going through hell, keep going, but make sure you’re heading towards heaven.
“People are not disturbed by things, but by the views they take of them.” – Epictetus