Being Real Feels Better
Being Real Feels Better
September 6th
“How much pleasure there is in simplicity that is pure, in itself unadorned, and veils no part of its character! Yet even such a life as this does run some risk of scorn, if everything lies open to everybody, for there are those who disdain whatever has become too familiar. But neither does virtue run any risk of being despised when she is brought close to the eyes, and it is better to be scorned by reason of simplicity than tortured by perpetual pretense.”
—Seneca
Letters From A Stoic
By embracing a minimalist lifestyle, free from the relentless pursuit of excess and adornment, we allow our true selves to shine through.
This simplicity, however, may not always be met with approval in a society that often equates complexity and busyness with importance. Have you ever felt pressured to convey a more elaborate facade, to seem more sophisticated or interesting than you desire to be?
And yet, Seneca assures us, the merits of virtue and authenticity are undeniable and immune to contempt when observed closely. It is in the straightforwardness of our character where true virtue resides, apparent for those who take the time to see.
Close your eyes for a moment: can you recall a situation where the allure of pretense beckoned, promising greater acceptance, but at the cost of your peace of mind? Seneca's wisdom nudges us to choose a path free of such pretense.
A life of ostentation may avoid scorn for a time, but it ensnares us in a web of falsehoods. It's far more liberating to be underestimated or dismissed for being genuine than to suffer under the weight of constant deception.
Which will you choose today: the tranquility of simplicity or the discomfort of disguise?
