Finished Reading “Heretics”

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  "G. K. Chesterton, the "Prince of Paradox," is at his witty best in this collection of twenty essays and articles from the turn of the twentieth century. Focusing on  "heretics" - those who pride themselves on their superiority to Christian views - Chesterton appraises prominent figures who fall into that category from the literary and art worlds... those who hold incomplete and inadequate views about "life, the universe, and everything." He is, in short, criticizing all that host of non-Christian views of reality, as he demonstrated in his follow-up book Orthodoxy. The book is both an easy read and a difficult read. But he manages to demonstrate, among other things, that our new 21st century heresies are really not new because he himself deals with most of them." (Goodreads)

Stop Playing The Game

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"Keep a constant guard over your perceptions, for it is no small thing you are protecting, but your respect, trustworthiness and steadiness, peace of mind, freedom from pain and fear, in a word your freedom. For what would you sell these things??" (Epictetus, Discourses 4.3)

We exist for a purpose much greater than to live in a constant state of annoyance. While some feel their calling in life is to be the burr-under-the-saddle, they have not thought that the burr can be removed. There is no reason to remain annoyed, anxious, or angry. A choice exists on how one will spend his or her emotional, physical, even spiritual energy. Why waste any of these on the whims of someone who cannot abide in peace? Control what you are able, starting by removing yourself from their influence. There are times when anger or annoyance may be appropriate, but one need not dwell there. 

Epictetus instructs to guard perception on the grounds that (at your core) peace of mind is at stake. Guard the way you see and understand first. Then guard your response. There is no freedom is stirring up trouble. Be free by separating yourself from it. Don't sell your freedom for a small thing. Don't "sell your birthright for a bowl of soup." 

People can say some terribly mean and scary things. 
Unless you perceive differently. 
They are only words--how are you hurt unless hurt is permitted? 

Disarm one who provokes by not playing the game. Simple as that.
Let them burn themselves out while you save your energy for Virtuous matters. 

Maintain peace of mind by not playing the game. 

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