Lonely Cottage

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  “Among the few features of agricultural England which retain an appearance but little modified by the lapse of centuries, may be reckoned the high, grassy and furzy downs, coombs, or ewe-leases, as they are indifferently called, that fill a large area of certain counties in the south and south-west. If any mark of human occupation is met with hereon, it usually takes the form of the solitary cottage of some shepherd. Fifty years ago such a lonely cottage stood on such a down, and may possibly be standing there now. In spite of its loneliness, however, the spot, by actual measurement, was not more than five miles from a county-town. Yet that affected it little. Five miles of irregular upland, during the long inimical seasons, with their sleets, snows, rains, and mists, afford withdrawing space enough to isolate a Timon or a Nebuchadnezzar; much less, in fair weather, to please that less repellent tribe, the poets, philosophers, artists, and others who “conceive and meditate of ple...

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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