24/09/2024
Once in ancient Greece, a young man named Marcus was troubled. He constantly worried about what others thought of him and feared losing his possessions. One day, he met an old Stoic philosopher who asked him to accompany himOnce, there was a wise Stoic philosopher named Epictetus. He had a tough life; he was born into slavery. But instead of feeling miserable, he chose to focus on what he could control—his thoughts and actions. One day, a wealthy man visited him, complaining about losing his fortune. Epictetus calmly replied, 'What does that loss mean to you? Can it take away your ability to think wisely or to be kind?' The man was surprised. 'No, it can’t,' he admitted. Epictetus explained that true happiness comes from within, not from outside possessions. When you depend on material things, you give away your power. He taught that by accepting what we cannot change and focusing on our responses, we gain true freedom. The wealthy man left Epictetus’s presence feeling lighter, understanding that loss was not the end, but an opportunity to grow. This lesson tells us that challenges can help us become stronger and wiser. So, when life feels heavy, remember—you control your thoughts and reactions. Choose to find strength in what you have, not in what you’ve lost. to the market.
As they walked, the philosopher pointed to a beautiful vase. 'Would you be sad if this broke?' he asked.
Marcus quickly replied, 'Yes! It is precious to me!'
The philosopher smiled and said, 'What if I told you that true freedom comes from not being attached to what you own?'
They reached a vendor selling beautiful fruits. The philosopher picked up an apple and dropped it, watching it roll away. 'See, Marcus? I can enjoy the apple today, but if it rolls away, I won’t cry over it. I appreciate what I have, but I don’t hold on too tight.'
As they walked home, Marcus reflected. He realized that much of his suffering came from wanting to control things beyond his power. Inspired by the philosopher’s wisdom, he understood that if he focused on his actions and thoughts rather than external possessions or opinions, he could find true peace.
From that day, Marcus embraced the Stoic idea: happiness comes from within, not from what we have.
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