Stolen Philosophies
Death makes it unreasonable to not tell the truth
Everything we got, we emulated from, or were inspired to create by others. Still, there is no need to not have your own rules and philosophies to create your own life.
Here are a few of mine:
fatum ingenium est
character is fate. Not what happens to us, but how our character is built - and therefore, how we react to things -, determines our destiny. Whatever happens to you; remember that you are the only one who is responsible for you. Master your kingdom and you will not have to worry about the rest.
Focus on what is in your control
Certain things in life you can control and others you cannot. Focus on the things you can control and let go of the rest (Epictetus)
Solution Orientation
Every situation has 2 handles. One that makes things better for you and one that makes things worse. Figure out which is which, and only act on the one that makes things better.
Now is Everything
There is no future, there is no past. The only thing that is real is here, right in front of you
Now is Nothing
This too shall pass. Whatever you are experiencing right now is gonna pass and the future will look different.
Compassion
Compassion
Compassion and self-compassion is the safest way to peace of mind.
“Let him who is without sin cast the first stone”
Strive to forgive yourself and others without pity.
Commit
Do not do it half-assed! You will be a sickness to yourself and your environment.
Act as if you would do it for the rest of your life:
People will trust and help you
You will put all your energy on “the game” when you are all in.
Imagine you would have to live of the harvest of a field for the rest of your life. Would you wing the details of how to make the soil fertile in the long term or would you focus on making it the best field you can make it?
Confidence
The most important thing you need to ingrain in yourself is confidence (in the world). Every moment is different and to master your life you will need a vast amount of skills.
But without confidence in the world you will have no reason to master anything.
People live for a why, not for a what.
What stands in the way becomes the way
Shoutout to Ryan Holiday’s book. The Obstacle is the way.
Everything that challenges us is part of our way. It is not something seperate from our life.
To argue with our obstacles in life is to argue with life itself.
Im Gesicht des Anderen erkennst du dich selbst
Emmanuel Levinas view on ethics and life stuck with me:
You cannot be sure what kind of a person you are until you interact with others.
Your ethics will be defined in the moment of recognizing yourself in the face of the other.
premeditatio malorum
Whenever contemplating about possible outcomes, think about the worst thing that could happen to you. This way you will not be surprised by the necessary (dis-)appointments in life.
Detachment from outcome
Whenever you are attached to the outcome, you will not be your authentic self.
Emotions take control
Judgement is clouded
Decisions are subpar
What about you?
As I said in the beginning. Nothing here is original. Go ahead…
steal mine or
create your own.