How much clarity do you have in your life? I don’t mean structure. I am referring to clarity in your philosophy of life. In Letters from a Stoic, Seneca advised Lucilius, “If one does not know which port one is sailing, no wind is favorable.”
According to Seneca, we all experience the same problem. We are harassed by instability and boredom due to our constant change of purpose. Simply put, we have not adopted a single rule to live by. Although, Seneca is not alone in stressing the importance of clarity.
The psychologist Carl Jung wrote,
We should know what our convictions are and stand for them. One's own philosophy, conscious or unconscious, depends on one's ultimate interpretation of facts. Therefore it is wise to be as clear as possible about one's subjective principles.
Here are a few questions to contemplate:
What are your principles?
Where are you headed?
What is truly most important to you?
In Memories, Dreams, and Reflections, Jung explained: “I have frequently seen people become neurotic when they content themselves with inadequate or wrong answers to the questions of life.” They seek position, marriage, reputation, and outward success but remain unhappy and neurotic even when they have attained what they desire. Such people are usually confined within too narrow a spiritual horizon. Their life lacks sufficient content and meaning.
Finding clarity is a challenging endeavor for several reasons. First, our uniqueness demands that we all discern our path. Jung said, “The shoe that fits one person pinches another; there is no recipe for living that suits all cases.”
Second, finding clarity is an ongoing process; one does not find it one day and no longer needs to contemplate life’s questions. The discipline of clarity requires us to walk the path while continuing to navigate our direction. As the theologian C.S. Lewis suggested,
Progress means getting nearer to the place you want to be. And if you have taken a wrong turn, then to go forward does not get you any nearer. If you are on the wrong road, progress means doing an about-turn and walking back to the right road…
Third, finding clarity or adopting a philosophy of life requires us to commit to a path. When we do, we are reminded (usually often) how frequently we veer off course. For this reason, it is essential to practice forgiveness and remember that clarity is not about being rigid or structured. Seneca wrote to Lucilius in a letter titled On Consistency, “The wise person may not always take the same steps, but they walk a single road.”
But, before we can pick a port as Seneca suggested or get clear about our principles as Jung urges us to. We must determine where we are. If we are lost, that is ok; we just need the courage to admit it.
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Thank you for reading; I hope you found something useful.
Until next time, be wise and be well,
JW
P.S. Feel free to leave a comment or question!
Amazing clarity in your essay to drive home the message. Thanks