"The task of a philosopher: we should bring our will into harmony with whatever happens, so that nothing happens against our will and nothing that we wish for fails to happen."-EPICTETUS, DISCOURSES, 2.14.7
("철학자의 임무: 우리는 어떤 일이 일어나든 우리의 의지와 조화를 이루어 우리의 의지에 반하는 일이 일어나지 않고 우리가 바라는 일이 일어나지 않도록 해야 한다."-에픽테토스, 담론, 2.14.7)
A long To-Do list seems intimidating and burdensome-all these things we have to do in the course of a day or a week. But a Get To Do list sounds like a privilege-all the things we're excited about the opportunity to experience. This isn't just semantic playing. It is a central facet of the philosopher's worldview.
Today, don't try to impose your will on the world. Instead see yourself as fortunate to receive and respond to the will in the world.
Stuck in traffic? A few wonderful minutes to relax and sit. Your car broke down after idling for so long? Ah, what a nice nudge to take a long walk the rest of the way. A swerving car driven by a distracted, cell-phone-wielding idiot nearly hit you as you were walking and soaked you head to toe with muddy water? What a reminder about how precarious our existence is and how silly it is to get upset ...
