Work With What You're Given
Work With What You're Given
December 20th
“I will tell you: that perfect person, who has attained virtue, never cursed their luck, and never received the results of chance with dejection; they believed that they were citizen and soldier of the universe, accepting their tasks as if they were their orders. Whatever happened, they did not spurn it, as if it were evil and borne in upon them by hazard. They accepted it as if it were assigned to be their duty. "Whatever this may be," they say, "it is my lot; it is rough and it is hard, but I must work diligently at the task."”
—Seneca
Letters From A Stoic
Imagine you're going through your day, and suddenly you're hit with an unexpected challenge—maybe it's a work crisis or a personal setback.
Your first instinct might be to sigh, Why me?
But hold on—a Stoic would see this challenge differently.
They wouldn't curse their luck or slump in defeat. Instead, they'd stand firm, seeing themselves as a player in the grand game of the universe, where every hurdle is actually an assignment.
They’re akin to a soldier who doesn’t question their orders but rather embraces each task with a sense of duty and an opportunity to demonstrate their inner strength. So when life throws you a curveball, ask yourself, "What would the perfect person do?"
Now, you don't need to be a sage overnight to start applying this wisdom. Just take a moment when you’re faced with what seems like bad luck and choose to view it as part of your role in the world’s grand play.
Ask yourself: Could this be an opportunity dressed in disguise? Every incident, every bit of so-called 'luck' is actually a chance for you to show what you're made of.
Next time something unplanned comes your way, pause and think, "This is my lot," and tackle it with all your might. Remember, it's not about what happens to you, but how you respond—that's where true virtue lies.
So, what task has the universe handed you today, and how will you fulfill your duty?
