Today’s Stoic: The Key to Unlocking Happiness Here we have Mozart explaining the habit he practiced everyday, the practice of Shakespeare talked about before him, the practice that the Stoics talked about centuries before either of them. It is the practice of keeping death in mind, not as something to fear, but as a friend, as an inspiring, consoling force that reminds us to be grateful and un-wasteful. “I have now made a habit of being prepared in all affairs of life for the worst. As death, when we come to consider it closely, is the true goal of our existence, I have formed during the last few years such close relationships with this best and truest friend of mankind that his image is not only no longer terrifying to me but is indeed very soothing and consoling, and I thank my God for graciously granting me the opportunity of learning that death is the key which unlocks the door to our true happiness. I never lie down at night without reflecting that—young as I am—I may not live to see another day. Yet not one of all my acquaintances could say that in my company I am morose or disgruntled. For this blessing I daily thank my creator.” People push back on memento mori as being morbid or dark. How ridiculous. It’s the opposite. Marcus Aurelius said, “You could leave life right now. Let that determine what you do and say and think.” Who on earth would think that thought--that they could have only a few minutes left on earth--and go, “Yeah, I should spend that time being upset or afraid or depressed.” In fact, this is the key to happiness. The jolt that keeps us in the present moment. The exercise that reminds us of what’s at stake. So don’t neglect it.

Today’s Stoic: The Key to Unlocking Happiness Here we have Mozart explaining the habit he practiced everyday, the practice of Shakespeare talked about before him, the practice that the Stoics talked about centuries before either of them. It is the practice of keeping death in mind, not as something to fear, but as a friend, as an inspiring, consoling force that reminds us to be grateful and un-wasteful. “I have now made a habit of being prepared in all affairs of life for the worst. As death, when we come to consider it closely, is the true goal of our existence, I have formed during the last few years such close relationships with this best and truest friend of mankind that his image is not only no longer terrifying to me but is indeed very soothing and consoling, and I thank my God for graciously granting me the opportunity of learning that death is the key which unlocks the door to our true happiness. I never lie down at night without reflecting that—young as I am—I may not live to see another day. Yet not one of all my acquaintances could say that in my company I am morose or disgruntled. For this blessing I daily thank my creator.” People push back on memento mori as being morbid or dark. How ridiculous. It’s the opposite. Marcus Aurelius said, “You could leave life right now. Let that determine what you do and say and think.” Who on earth would think that thought--that they could have only a few minutes left on earth--and go, “Yeah, I should spend that time being upset or afraid or depressed.” In fact, this is the key to happiness. The jolt that keeps us in the present moment. The exercise that reminds us of what’s at stake. So don’t neglect it.
by Jm Moran

August 06, 2018 at 09:51AM
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