Reality

For reasons I will not say, weekends are especially difficult for me. Sundays appear to be the worse. I know this. I am addressing it. I read a lot and the season of genealogy research will once again be upon us as the weather turns to spring. Part of what I read is academic. Who am I kidding, everything I read falls under academic. If I feel low in mood, I address the mood by academics. Read, Learn, Write and sort out the feeling. What I have discovered is I approach things more indifferently and not emotionally. It is what it is. I should probably say, it is the philosophical way of approaching everyday life. If I remove the emotion, I feel no pain. Epictetus is to thank for my change in attitude. His readings are insightful, logical, and clear the way for me to look at reality as it is.

Epictetus believed that for good or ill, life and nature are governed by laws that we can't change. The quicker we accept this concept, the more tranquil, one will be. It is within our control not to be disappointed by our desires if we deal with them according to facts rather than by emotion. Understand what freedom really is and how it is achieved. Freedom isn't the right or ability to do whatever you please. Freedom comes from understanding the limits of our own power and the natural limits set in place by divine providence. By accepting life's limits and inevitabilities and working with them instead of fighting them, we become free.

Other people's views and troubles can be contagious. Do not sabotage yourself by adopting negative, unproductive attitudes through associations with others. Do not allow anyone to pull you down thus give your power away. I can state several occasions where I gave my power away and to some extent, I still do. However, as I continue my journey through spirituality, I have become more aware, less fearful and place as much distance emotionally as well as physically from those who are negative.

Freedom is the only worthy goal in life. It is won by disregarding things that lie beyond our control. Authentic happiness is always independent of external conditions. Vigilantly practice indifference to external conditions. Happiness can only be found within. Stop aspiring to be anyone other than yourself.