EPICTETUS. FRAGMENTS. 46.
Upon reading the excerpt from Words of the Ancient Wise this morning I was struck with how simple this advice is and yet how difficult in our day to do so. We are constantly bombarded with messages that encourage us to get rid of the older things and replace them with newer, shiny and "better" things. This makes so many people work to achieve things rather than for the satisfaction of a job well done. How many young people have gone into debt to have all the trappings of modern society only to find themselves hamsters on the wheel of commerce. They become slaves to the things around them and the need to attain all of the outer evidence of a "successful" life.
If we can begin to define success with nobler pursuits we may begin to save our children, society and planet from the consequences of pursuing wealth and gain to the detriment of all else. The next time we are replacing something old, something that is still useful, lets stop and think about the message we are sending to our children, peers and society around us. Less is more when we stop to appreciate. Success needs to be measured in relationships and virtues rather than bank accounts and things.
No comments:
Post a Comment