True inner joy VS fleeting bursts of externally generated moments of happiness

Obstacles make you stronger.

How much better is it to be known for doing well by many than for living extravagantly?

If it's been done before, it can be done again.

As a leader, a parent, a friend, you must transpire that grateful attitude...

Study philosophy, then use it.

How you react to events around you shows who you really are.

As Russia invades Ukraine, let us reflect on war, and the curse of the human condition.

Like with all virtues and in all things of life, we must find a balance.

As we prepare for a new week, I would like to share with you a few thoughts on the polarities of life, and how you can work on finding Ch'an (Zen) or your centre.

The average person will be fine in watching 28 hours of television per week, but they have no time to study philosophy and improve their lives.

“The human being is born with an inclination toward virtue.” Marcus Aurelius

“Dig deep within yourself, for there is a fountain of goodness ever ready to flow if you will keep digging” — Marcus Aurelius

You need to act with your heart, in the face of fear, to do what is RIGHT for you to do, and you need to do this, no matter the consequences.

We all have our defaults, and it doesn’t really matter if they were created by us in the past or by the surrounding influences that guide us to x or y direction. It is time that we take control of our lives, starting with our decisions and our management of time and energy so that we don’t let ourselves be the victims of whatever “life” imposes on us.

The reason why I am very interested in the way stoic philosophers ponder daily on their mortality, is partly because when we do so, when we deeply internalize the fact that today might be our last day, and this action, this task might be the last thing we do, we completely change our mindset towards what is really important, what is really essential

“The risk of dying is always there, use this at your advantage” — Raphael Reiter

You don’t have to wait until the very last moment to take a nap on your own death bed. Reflect on your mortality today, and everyday.

Focus on that task, like it is the first task. Focus on that task, like it is the last task. It might very well be so. Give it your heart, and the outside success (money, fame, whatever) will come as a by product of your excellence, love and commitment to your work.

Everyday HAS to have the same kind of urgency as if you knew for a fact that it was your last day to do your greatest work. That doesn’t necessarily mean that you will die tonight or tomorrow, although it is of course possible. But life brings many surprises, good and bad. Many things can happen and make today the last shot, the last opportunity to get this task done, to accomplish this goal.

“Time is a river, the resistless flow of all created things. One thing no sooner comes in sight that it is hurried past and another is borne alone, only to be swept away in its turn. Reflect often upon the rapidity with which all existing things, or things coming into existence sweep past us and are carried away. Even while a thing is in the act of coming into existence, some part of it has already ceased to be.”