February 26, 2018: Introspection
Seneca, On Tranquility of Mind, 6.2: "Above all, it is necessary for a person to have a true self estimate, for we commonly think we can do more than we really can."
We avoid thinking about estimate our self worth because we think we may downgrade ourselves, but more commonly we overestimate ourselves and therefore do not see our weaknesses. If you are to overcome obstacles and weakness, first you have to be honest with yourself with what you are below average in. Overtime, you will continue to improve your self awareness, and that is an important aspect you should have before going on to more complex themes in stoicism.
Just as you must be self aware of weakness, you will start identifying things that you are strong in. One of my friends has recently lost a loved one, and was put in the position of responsibility above what she thought she could handle, but in the end she came through on all aspects without all other family members even knowing what she did for the whole process (funeral, cremation, prayers, etc), that is commonly done in Hinduism.
Today, do not be scared of finding your true weakness, you don't even have to tell anyone, just think about at the basic level what aspects of yourself are weak, and then identify ways to improve yourself, just pick one for today, and as you grow stoicism in your common practice you will do it even without thinking.
I think there is a difference between limitations and flaws. In the passage you quote Seneca is advising us to always be fully aware of our limitations when we plan something - rather than advising us about how to correct flaws.
Obviously, a flaw is also a limitation - and the problem with both flaws and limitations in general is that we tend to ignore them. But taking into account that we are too poor or to physically weak to achieve a goal (for example) is very different from seeing our poverty or our weakness as a flaw that needs to be corrected.
Still, it's clearly one of the most important part of stoicism - and the entire Socratic tradition - that we constantly strive to become aware of and to correct our flaws. A very real challenge in that endeavour is to stand our ground when we know we did the right thing but everyone blames us for doing so.
"you will often have to combine being just with being disgraced. And then if you are wise, you should take delight in the bad reputation you have won by your good behavior."
Wow thanks for the comments! truly appreciate them, and always learning!