The Stoic philosopher Epictetus once asked, “How long are you going to wait before you demand the best for yourself?” But what does it actually mean to demand the best for yourself?
What is the path to peace, tranquility, or happiness? How does one become a better parent, leader, friend, or anything else? The answer to these types of questions generally points to wisdom.
In a Letter to Menoeceus, Epicurus wrote,
Let no one be slow to seek wisdom when he is young nor weary in the search thereof when he is grown old. For no age is too early or too late for the health of the soul. And to say that the season for studying philosophy has not yet come, or that it is past and gone, is like saying that the season for happiness is not yet or that it is now no more. Therefore, both old and young ought to seek wisdom, the former in order that, as age comes over him, he may be young in good things because of the grace of what has been, and the latter in order that, while he is young, he may at the same time be old, because he has no fear of the things which are to come. So we must exercise ourselves in the things which bring happiness since, if that is present, we have everything, and if that is absent, all our actions are directed toward attaining it.
As many of you know, I have an interest in the topic of wisdom. I started a podcast called In Search of Wisdom a couple of years ago. I believe, like Epicurus (and many others), that there is no time like the present to begin the search for wisdom.
***For this reason, I’m offering a free 5-Week Wisdom 101 Course (for Perennial Meditations members). It’s going to be an informal exploration of timeless perspectives, principles, and practices (based on a previous article called The Timeless Art of Leading a Life) to help us live our highest good. The course will consist of an email meditation every Monday (beginning on 16 Jan) and a live meetup every Wednesday at Noon EST (ending on 15 Feb).
—
Thank you for listening; I hope you found something useful.
Until next time, be wise and be well,
The Timeless Art of Leading a Life