📖 Current Read; 366 Meditations on Wisdom, Perseverance, and the Art of Living — Ryan Holiday
It’s In Your Self Interest
The Daily Stoic Meditation for August 23 outlines that pleasures are punishments.
It is in your self interest to stay clear of such pleasures, and look to that joy within.
“Therefore, explain why a wise person shouldn’t get drunk — not with words, but by the facts of its ugliness and offensiveness. It’s most easy to prove that so-called pleasures, when they go beyond proper measure, are but punishments.”
— SENECA, MORAL LETTERS, 83.27
Pleasures Are Punishments
Pleasures are punishments.
Pleasures are punishments, when they go beyond proper measure.
You can find yourself trapped and consumed by pleasures.
You can find yourself obsessing over certain pleasures, to a point where it takes over your life.
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Pleasures are not always good, when they are taken out of hand.
Ensure that you do not seek artificial pleasure constantly.
Beyond Proper Measure
It is important to note that this only applies when the pleasures go beyondmeasure.
Pleasures are not always punishments.
Pleasures can be carefully engaged in, yet you allow yourself time away so as not to be consumed.
Pleasures can be exactly that — joyful, happy and pleasure.
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Pleasures only become punishments when they go beyond measure.
The idea of going beyond measure is when;
- You engage too much
- You are distracted by that pleasure
- You are less productive
- You are less happy
- The pleasure takes over your life
It’s In Your Self Interest
It’s in your self interest to prevent pleasures from taking over your life.
Pleasures are not always punishments, but they very easily can be.
Make an effort to stay clear of artificial pleasure and look to the true joy within.
Joy Within
There is a natural joy within everyone.
This joy is not toxic, it is not a punishment — it is true, real joy.
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When you find yourself looking to artificial pleasures, such as sex, drugs & alcohol, try fall back into step with the true joy within.
This joy is much more sustainable and will last!
Look to your natural joy within.
Idea of the Week. 💭
Live In The Present
Choose the present. Seize the present. Be present. “To live is the rarest thing in the world. Most people exist, that is all.” — Oscar Wilde
Many dwell on the future and are miserable in advance.
Being miserable in advance takes away your ability to enjoy present things, and this can be extremely damaging to the soul.
You need to work on leaving the worry behind, and living in the present.
What?
Living in the present is the act of forgetting about the past and the future, and living for now.
This practice means to let go of all worries, doubts and fears, and live each small moment in the now, doing everything you can to make that moment your best.
Why?
Aiming to live in the present is always more beneficial than dwelling on the past or future, for a great deal of reasons;
- The past and future don’t exist — they are not tangible
- The present is all you have
- There is great abundance, joy and happiness in the present
If you prioritise living in the present moment, you can access all that abundance and joy.
Focusing on the future only creates worry — forgo that practice.
How?
Theres many great ways you can prioritise living in the present!
Such as;
- Recognise that the present moment is all you have
- Recognise that other items, people, emotions and places will never bring us the permanent joy that we desire. That is only found in ourselves.
- Journal
- Meditate
- Be more social!
- Spend time in nature
- Limit social media usage
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Don’t be miserable in advance.
Forget the future and try live in the present.
Quote of the Week. 🗣
Epictetus on the company you keep.
“The key is to keep company only with people who uplift you, whose presence calls forth your best.”
To end, here’s a question from me! ⚡️
Do the people around you uplift you?
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You need to carefully cultivate your circle.
You need to be around those that uplift you, prioritise happiness and encourage you to reach your goals!
Do the people around you aid that?
Thanks for reading!
Until next week,
Sam. 😆
