“Ask yourself the following first thing in the morning:”
Epictetus, Discourses, 4.6.34-35
- “What am I lacking in attaining freedom from passion?
- What for tranquility?
- What am I? A mere body, estate-holder, or reputation? None of these.
- What, then? A rational being.
- What then is demanded of me? Meditate on your actions.
- How did I steer away from my serenity?
- What did I do that was unfriendly, unsocial, or uncaring?
- What did I fail to do in all these things?”
While this list of questions seems very negative, I will still attempt to at least comment on each item.
- Higher discipline when it comes to old routines
- I do find a great deal of tranquility in the mornings when I am alone with my thoughts, usually in the hours of 4-6 AM
- I am a body. I am a mind. I am a reputation.
- I fear I am far less rational than I believe myself to be
- Security. And while this can be burdensome, it is not a burden
- I steer away from serenity when I pore over nearly every recent daily interaction I have
- I laughed at a coworker’s comments on another’s physical limitations. I was asked if I helped a short person do his job by lifting him to reach up higher. And I guess, here is where #6 is actually advantageous. I wished I had reacted a little differently, but then I decided to act more gracefully to both people.
- Recognize them in the moment rather than afterward