Time keeps marching on. Once again, I I find myself in the hairdresser’s chair, another month having gone by. You know, we definitely ought to invest our time wisely. From our birth onwards, we are endowed with a budget of approximately 2.68 billion seconds – granted we live to see 85. And whilst we like to hoard money, these seconds are not like coins, they can’t be stashed away for a rainy day.
This idea of ‘investing’ time isn’t new, as it closely aligns with stoicism. But it should remind us, each day, how we inevitably get pulled closer towards the finish line of our existence. So, consider this a call to start living consciously, a nudge to realize our aspirations and desires before the sands of time run out. If it encourages you to reflect more deeply on your life’s direction, then my little rant has succeeded.
Anyways, I bring this up because I find myself immersed in the pages of “The Practicing Stoic,” a journey into the heart of Stoic philosophy.
On a similar note, recently I’ve read the biography of Washington, a man of striking contradictions. On one hand, he appears to have been deeply influenced by the stoicism embodied by figures like Marcus Aurelius, mastering the art of emotional restraint. Yet, on the other hand, he was drawn to the allure of wealth, spending a great deal of his resources on appearances – causing him to struggle financially.
And whilst he still stands as a symbol of American freedom, challenging British dominance, back when when the odds seemed insurmountable, he also happened to own slaves, initially in the dozens, later in the hundreds. It’s a jarring dichotomy, isn’t it? He went as far as to meticulously track the labor of the slaves, seeming to expect the same effort in their work as if they were paid laborers.
The United States, it seems, still grapples with this historical narrative today. Once a hero to all, now somewhat of a villain.
While some may argue that he was a product of his era, it’s crucial to acknowledge that even in his time, the Northern States recognized the moral transgression of slavery. No matter how you turn it, Washington remains a man who owned slaves. Towards the end of his life, Washington too grappled with moral objections to the institution, even as financial considerations compelled him to continue. His political proposals offered only incremental progress in addressing the issue, a familiar tactic among politicians who privately recognize moral wrongs but are hesitant to make substantial strides.
Ironically, it appears that Washington himself was trapped by his compulsion to emulate the lifestyle of European nobility, a pursuit hindering the realization of his loftier ideals.
Stoicism offers some useful insights on this front. Because, let’s face it, nothing’s new. The accumulation of wealth seems to be quite universal – in one way or t he other. But, as the stoics would argue, the ceaseless race to outdo our neighbours in opulence, has rarely proven to be a pathway toward happiness.
In the pages of “The Practicing Stoic,” I encountered a powerful analogy: cravings are like being at a banquet where a tray of tasty goods are passed before you. The way in which you navigate this situation reflects how you should approach your other earthly desires. It’s not a call for asceticism or the abandonment of desires but rather a plea to avoid the ravenous behavior of one who greedily takes everything for themselves. In other words, don’t become a slave to your own desires. Food for thought.
Kind regards
Vincent J. Dancet