Seneca on being present - SHW #50
The whole future lies in uncertainty, live immediately.
-- Seneca
This quote was taken from Seneca's letters from a stoic and it is a wonderful quote that resembles the importance of living in the present and not thinking too much about the future.
This is something that is difficult to come to grips with in modern society which is fuelled by having a strategy for the future. You go to school, you go to university, you get a degree to get a good job, you have a baby, you get married, your job screws you over and you lose all your retirement money, your marriage breaks down after you realise you have been planning for a future your whole life, you reach your death bed, full of regrets of 'what could have been' if you lived your life a little differently.
Of course, this is an extreme example, but the point remains the same and it is all too common nowadays. Say yes to getting out of your comfort zone, do the unthinkable, be silly and enjoy your life.
Seneca would not say "don't bother planning for the future" because this is something that should be taken seriously. You should have a strategy, but it should not get in the way of your everyday experience of life. You need to take risks, seek discomfort and thrills because this is the flavour of life. Be aware of your thoughts, are they looking to the future too much, if yes, maybe look to alter your strategy for the future, and look at your strategy for today.
Have a great week!
Who is Seneca?
Seneca, born in southern Spain over 2,000 years ago in 4 BC and educated in Rome was a high-ranking financial clerk who pursued a career in politics. He worked with Emperor Nero as his tutor and advisor for many years which is where he was subsequently killed by order of Nero himself due to suspicion of Seneca being treacherous. He died in 65 AD. He was interested in many different types of philosophies but sold himself on the idea and concept of Stoicism primarily coined by Zeno in theory. Read by important figures in society such as Nassim Nicholas Taleb and Tim Ferris, the writings of Seneca compiled into the books that express his ideas are still very influential even today.