The Daily Stoic - Meditations on Wisdom, Perseverance, and the Art of Living
Day 23
November 4th - Not Good, Nor Bad.
"There is no evil in things changing, just as there is no good in persisting in a new state"
- Marcus Aurelius, Meditations, 4.42
From the Author:
"When people say change is good, they're usually trying to reassure someone (Or themselves). Because instinctively we view change as bad - or at least we're suspicious of it.
The Stoics want you to do away with those labels altogether. Change isn't good. The Status Quo isn't bad. They just are.
Remember, events are objective. It's only our opinion that says something is good or bad (and thus worth fighting against or fighting for). A better attitude? To decide to make the most of everything. But to do that you must first cease fighting."
When I think of the last few years on the world stage, and the things we were told to do, think and believe, I remember the initial stages of me finally opening my eyes. I remember thinking how much I wanted to fight this overarching power structure, to deliberately disobey to prove that they had no power over me. Then after some time I realised that the truth is they don't, and therefore I don't need to fight. I will just live the way I want and pay no mind to those who wish me to act according to their agenda.
The way we feel about change is determined by how we see certain events or future trends playing out. But just like preference in music, and even the evolution of music, it's entirely opinion, not necessarily truth. One person may like Rap, and you may think it's the most awful thing to be played on the radio, but neither you or the other person's opinion is true, or correct.
I always feel some amount of disgust for the direction the general world is going, but I realise it's less important to dislike that, and more important to focus on the change I want. In myself, in who I surround myself with, in what we build, and how we can all contribute to a shared goal. In the mean time, despite everything, I make the most of, and be grateful for, all the good and positive things.
