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?

Alone & Loneliness

“Loneliness does not come from having no people about one, but from being unable to communicate the things that seem important to oneself, or from holding certain views which others find inadmissible.” – C.G. Jung

A distinct difference exists between being alone and experiencing loneliness.  In Susan Cain’s book Quiet, she presents differences between introverts and extroverts and finds many people who embrace introversion crave being alone in solitude.  Introverts thrive, when they are able to read a book in the quiet comforts of a designated space made for the exact purpose, for example.  They are more energized and more focused, when they are alone.  Thus, the idea of being alone is not one to automatically elicit feelings of pity, sadness, nor discomfort.  

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.  

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.

Balance

“The ultimate value of life depends upon awareness and the power of contemplation, rather than upon mere survival.” – Aristotle

The key to all of life’s frequent and pressing questions is balance.  Multi-faceted questions are typically asked in terms of which side of the spectrum does an individual stand.  For example, should one act or not, should one live for the present moment or live for the future or past, and should one hang on or let go of a dream, of an idea, or pursuit.  However, framing the question as to illicit a “this or that” response leaves much unexamined.  

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.  

Self-awareness

“Until you make the unconscious conscious, it will direct your life and you will call it fate.” – C.G. Jung

To know oneself is critical to flourishing.  To see oneself objectively and honestly and recognize our shortcomings and consciously make an effort to change for the better is time and energy well invested.  While we are sculpted by our upbringing and early experiences we are capable of change.  Our personalities are not static.