Invest In Yourself
“Of all people, only those are at leisure who make time for philosophy; only those are really alive. For they not only keep a good watch over their own lifetimes, but they annex every age to theirs. All the years that passed before them is added to their own.”
—Seneca
Letters From A Stoic
From the buzz of the alarm clock to the whirlwind of tasks, meetings, and messages, you're on the go until the stars take their nightly posts.
Now, Seneca isn't knocking a strong work ethic; instead, he's championing the art of pause and reflection.
He suggests that those who carve out time from this whirlwind for philosophy—thinking deeply about life, values, and our place in the world—are truly seizing the day. These are the individuals who are fully alive, mentally stepping out of the ceaseless flow of time to ponder and learn from the vast experiences of humanity.
Are you simply passing through your days, or are you actively reflecting on them?
In our present lives, the concept of 'leisure' frequently gets twisted into binge-watching shows or mindless scrolling through social feeds. But there maybe a more fulfilling practice: delving into philosophy as a means of 'annexing every age to ours.'
When you absorb the lessons from ancient thinkers, or even those from a few decades ago, you're not just living in your own sliver of time—you're enriching your life with the wisdom of ages. Through philosophy, every historical triumph, tragedy, and tale of resilience becomes part of your intellectual arsenal.
So, today, why not take a few minutes to connect with the thinkers of the past? By doing so, are you not only adding depth to your life but perhaps discovering a timeless ally in the pursuit of a life well-lived?