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It’s better to conquer grief than to deceive it.”
Seneca, On Consolation to Helvia, 17.1b
How many times have we run from our feelings, or encouraged others to do the same? When in the middle of grief, how many of us have had a friend or loved one desperately try to “get us to forget” for a little while? Have we been that friend or loved one?
So many people believe that by practicing Stoicism one would become cold, detached, and disconnected from one's emotions. This view is furthest from the truth, as the practice actually encourages one to engage one’s feelings, immediately and deeply, and not hide from them. To the Stoic, strength doesn’t come from telling people that you’re fine when you’re not… strength comes from embracing our feelings, not denying them, or thinking them to be something they’re not.
Distractions from grief might be OK in the short term, but focusing on the grief is best for long term.
Grief is “conquered” by making relationship with it, not by fooling ourselves that it doesn’t exist.
(See y’all tomorrow)
So many people believe that by practicing Stoicism one would become cold, detached, and disconnected from one's emotions. This view is furthest from the truth, as the practice actually encourages one to engage one’s feelings, immediately and deeply, and not hide from them. To the Stoic, strength doesn’t come from telling people that you’re fine when you’re not… strength comes from embracing our feelings, not denying them, or thinking them to be something they’re not.
Distractions from grief might be OK in the short term, but focusing on the grief is best for long term.
Grief is “conquered” by making relationship with it, not by fooling ourselves that it doesn’t exist.
(See y’all tomorrow)
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