The stoic idea of control is an important one to bear in mind in education, and in life.
Put simply it means we have no control over the opinions/ perspectives of others. We only have control over our own thoughts and actions. And even that is a perspective.
Epictetus in Discourses says:
The chief task in life is simply this: to identify and separate matters so that I can say clearly to myself which are externals not under my control, and which have to do with the choices I actually control. Where then do I look for good and evil? Not to uncontrollable externals, but within myself to the choices that are my own...
Here's the challenge - if I can focus on making clear what parts of my day are within my control and what parts are not, I will not only be happier, I will also have a distinct advantage over other people who fail to realise they are fighting an unwinnable battle.
No comments:
Post a Comment