Lesson from a Stoic

I heard a radio article last week that has really made me think. The man interviewed, William Irvine, talked about how much joy and happiness he gained in his life from emulating the practices of the Stoics of ancient Greece. What entered my heart listening to this man was not a newly rediscovered way of thinking, but an emphasis on what I believe is a core principle for anyone who acknowledges a loving God.

The mental exercise advocated by this modern-day Stoic goes something like this:

Take a few moments, perhaps five seconds, and contemplate the loss of a loved one. Do not dwell longer on this thought, but let the base emotion in long enough to appreciate the loss.

The man then gave an example of something ostensibly mundane and how he was able to transform that experience into something profound. He talked about walking with his wife in the evening after work. Just a neighborhood walk... nothing extraordinary. Then he spoke of imagining himself at the twilight of life. He found it easy to imagine outliving his wife—one spouse usually precedes the other in death. He also had no trouble imagining being old, feeble, and unable to walk. Letting these thoughts in, albeit briefly, allowed him to savor this beautiful moment walking with his wife because it was not a stretch to envision a time in his future when he would long for just such a moment. By allowing himself to imagine a life without, he became more grateful for the life within.

Loss is inevitable. Tragedy is uncomfortably common. Acknowledging these facts can lead us to gratitude for the present and allow us to savor the magnificent meal placed before us instead of planning for a feast that may never be.

I am grateful for today. Hopefully I can alter my own attitude to revel in what I have and reject wallowing in what I lack.

If you want to read more about philosopher William Irvine, I found his website here.