Ego

Ego exists in human nature, and it manifests as ignorance, greed, and desire to name a few. The ego-consciousness fights, often triumphantly, against the individual’s actual self; it bears arms to keep a self-construct derived from external impositions in power over the individual.  

Advertisement

Fate or Free Will?

“… whether Fate binds us down by an inexorable law, or whether God as arbiter of the universe has arranged everything, or whether Chance drives and tosses human affairs without method, philosophy ought to be our defense.” Seneca in Letters from a Stoic

How much power does an individual have in crafting his or her destiny? If the extent of power within human agency is uncertain, then is there a method of arriving to a logical conclusion by which to identify which view permeates human existence?

Redefining Work

“He who has a WHY to live for can bear with almost any how.” – Friderich Nietzsche

The word work needs tuning in order to make aligning every individual’s strengths and every organization’s needs to their rightful counterpart.  The word work does not need to carry with it negative connotations or sweeping associations such as ideas relating to imposition, force, negative stress, frustration, and more.  Looking forward to every day needs to overthrow the idea of looking forward to living for the weekends only.  

Simplify

“Let your mind wander in simplicity, blend your spirit with the vastness, follow along with things the way they are, and make no room for personal views – then the world will be governed.” ― Zhuangzi

Simplify perceived emotional turmoil, external challenges and desires, and existential push-back by taking personal power and control over the thoughts that enter the mind.  Rather than allow distress to run both the mind and body, attempt to gather greater understanding over the causes.  View matters from different angles in order to begin delineating between what is objective and truth versus what is subjective and skewed perceptions.  

Death & Dying

“Live as if you were to die tomorrow.  Learn as if you were to live forever.” – Gandhi

Death is certain, which is not intended to start with a melancholic tone, but rather a calling for understanding the phenomena in order to elevate the physical form.  The Stoics viewed death in a manner that aided human purpose.  By philosophizing on our impermanence they were able to reason ways in which fear of death could be replaced by honoring living.

Philosophy & Love

“The Stoics actually both say that the wise man will experience love, and they define love itself as the effort to make a friendship from the semblance of beauty.  Which love, if there is any in the world without disquietude, without longing, without anxiety, without sighing, then so be it!  For it is free from all lust.” – Cicero

Love is made difficult throughout history, and perhaps more in modernity than in previous eras, because not only are unsolicited expectations thrust upon another unknowing individual and are later expressed as premeditated resentments, but also because some individuals forget, consciously skip, or are unaware of the first critical step to loving others is to love the self first.  The power to love another human being reaches its capacity potential from self-derived and self-aimed love. 

Law of Attraction

“We see, feel, and ultimately attract what we focus on.”
― Brain Drain The Breakthrough That Will Change Your Life by Charles F. Glasman M.D.

Output equals input.  Thoughts, emotions, and behavior released into the external world are the same thoughts, emotions, and behavior received.  Exercising a positive attitude attracts more positivity, and the opposite is also true by which exercising negativity attracts more negativity.

Pursuing Meaning

“I have never wished to cater to the crowd; for what I know they do not approve, and what they approve I do not know.” -Epicurus

There are two broad camps of thought; one camp states human beings live in order to acquire meaning, while the other camp claims there is no meaning to life and human beings must learn to live happily and content within the stated framework.  

Change

Change is inevitable; yet, nothing need be forgotten or used to remember times of great joy and happiness.  Previous relationships from friends to romantic partners even family members change, which subsequently changes the nature of the relationship.  You change.  Without change one remains stagnant.  

Ingredients for Health & Wellness

“The key to creating health is figuring out the cause of the problem and then providing the right conditions for the body and soul to thrive. It isn’t taking another medication.” – Mark Hyman, M.D.

Modern solutions to illness and disease are treating the surface, rather than resolving the root problems.  In particular, as a society we know how to eradicate many chronic illnesses, which would not only alleviate overburdened healthcare systems but would also create new possibilities for human potential to contribute skills, innovation, and ideas to the global economy.