What's the worst that can happen if gay marriage becomes common place?
Ever asked that? Congrats, you’re a stoic philosopher.
Really thinking about just how awful things can be often has the ironic effect of making you realize they’re not that bad.
t’s what the Stoics call, “the premeditation” – that there’s actually a lot of peace of mind to be gained in thinking carefully and in detail and consciously about how badly things could go. In most situations you’re going to discover that your anxiety or your fears about those situations were exaggerated.
If the thought of gay marriage gets you all pissed off, then smile.
The Stoics valued tranquility and thought being angry was a waste of time. But what should you do when your blood boils?
Force a smile. Soften your voice. Seneca thought that if you act calm, you will become calm.
The Stoics also used to deliberately walk around on cold days without a coat. Or skip meals to become hungry. Why?
Denying yourself something makes you appreciate the things you take for granted.
So when gay marriage becomes illegal again, you can enjoy marriage again that much more.
Does Stoicism seem hard? Don’t want to think about how awful things can be right now? Don’t want to give up your ice cream for a day?
They knew that too. What did Epictetus tell his students after he taught them these Stoic lifehacks?
He told them what to do when they screw up — because we all do.
Forgive yourself.
1
point
If gay marriage becomes common place then this world is headed for a disaster of biblical proportions. I mean Old Testament, real wrath of God type stuff. Fire and brimstone coming down from the skies! Rivers and seas boiling! Forty years of darkness! Earthquakes, volcanoes... The dead rising from the grave! Human sacrifice, dogs and cats living together... mass hysteria! ;) 1
point
3
points
1
point
1
point
|