Stoicism helps me flourish

I want to live a life in which I can continue to flourish – and Stoicism helps me make that possible as I continue to work on being virtuous, even when (especially when) I’m faced with difficult or complicated persons, situations, or things.  I can’t guarantee that I will always make the right decision when given a series of choices as to how to behave or respond.  But now that I’ve been working through my experiences with the benefit of a growing Stoic understanding, I will at least think about the right thing and consider what is virtuous or good before taking action – even when I fail.

As I consider what guides me at this particular point in my life, it’s beautifully simple.  I think of this wonderful passage from Epictetus:

Remember that you are an actor in a drama, of such a kind as the author pleases to make it. If short, of a short one; if long, of a long one. If it is his pleasure you should act a poor man, a cripple, a governor, or a private person, see that you act naturally. For this is your business, to act well the character assigned you; to choose it is another's.   Epictetus, Enchiridion, 17.

I describe this passage as wonderful now, but I remember that I found this reminder to “act naturally” or to simply assume the role some other author had “assigned” to me to be uncomfortable and quite challenging when I first encountered it – likely because it provided insight into one of the core issues of control that I needed to be willing to examine, understand, and release if I wanted to live a better life.  

Making better choices

Now, after some years of consistent practice, I can happily report that I do indeed struggle less.  As I reflect on working through this idea of “acting well” – especially during times of stress – I know that it has allowed me to make the most fundamental shift required in order to live a life that is more virtuous than no t– and more in accordance with nature than in opposition to it.  When I make the right choice and “act well the character assigned” to me, all of the noise around me seems to quiet and the way forward becomes more clear.

I can only play my part

This doesn’t mean I don’t struggle or even allow myself to submit to the temptation to look around at the “assigned characters” of others and feel some sense of frustration (or even envy) from time to time – but it does make it easier for me to right the course when I am off-track and do what I need to do within myself to place the focus on a better, more virtuous, and more thoughtful response.  Reminding myself that I can only play my part as best I can and be open to the many parts that might appear before me allows me to feel a sense of clarity.  It also allows me to feel more comfortable and solidly positioned within my purpose.  

I can hope that the author has more good drama planned for me – but even if that wouldn’t be the case, I can say that the life I’ve led so far and the roles I’ve played since encountering Stoicism are richer and more meaningful because of it.  The choices I’ve made based on my pursuit of wisdom, justice, courage, and temperance haven’t always been successful – and I’ve often fallen short – but even the act of trying has been important to my ability to live a good life.

Yet we are not passive participants

After all, being open to “acting well” in our roles does not make us passive participants.  To truly “act well” is to be active and intentional.  It is to accept the role assigned but also understand that roles change and we’re often fulfilling several roles, all at once.  It is to choose to follow a more virtuous path – and sometimes that one simple choice makes all the difference in the world.

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