“The art of living is more like wrestling than dancing, because an artful life requires being prepared to meet and withstand sudden and unexpected attacks.” (Marcus Aurelius, Meditations)
I am occasionally met with a greeting that often includes "how's life?" and, as much as I try to have a ready answer, I find myself delving much deeper to a meaningful answer. The best answer I've found is one word: "abundant." Life is full of both good and bad, of both delight and depression, of feasting and famine, of dancing and wrestling. And most often I find there is more wrestling than dancing. Regardless, my answer is summative.
The Emperor is keen to indicate how the skill, the application and expression of existence is more like wrestling than dancing because of the unexpected nature of what is outside our control. He does not say there is no dancing and all life is a battlefield; rather he holds that living well is tough but it is not without rewards.
"The measure of the moment
Is a difference of degree
Just one little victory
A spirit breaking free
One little victory
The greatest act can be
One little victory" (Rush, "One Little Victory")
Think of it: withstanding and persevering through a tough time leads to a measure of victory, but it's victory nonetheless. And victory can be celebrated with dancing! But there must first be preparation, training for this is what builds endurance, perseverance. Companionship helps! Strength in numbers!
Everything in it's due time.
