Never stop sculpting your own statue, until the divine virtue of splendor shines in you.
-Pierre Hadot
What virtues did you develop today? Our soul hears our thoughts and feels our actions.
Tag: happy
Location
Everywhere and at all times, it is up to you to rejoice piously at what is occurring at the present moment, to conduct yourself with justice towards the people who are present here and now.
-Marcus Aurelius
For how much of your day are you present? Be where you are and try to be your best.
Gaurd
We think that by protecting ourselves from suffering we are being kind to ourselves. The truth is we only become more fearful, more hardened, and more alienated.
– Pema Chodron
How is your guard up? Running from fear and suffering grants it control over us. Facing it, questioning it and understanding it shows that we are not afraid and then we can control the emotion.
Consume
There are four kinds of food that we consume every day. They are: edible food (what we put into our mouths to nourish our bodies), sensory food (what we smell, hear, taste, feel and touch), volition (the motivation and intention that fuels us) and consciousness (this includes our individual consciousness, the collective consciousness, and our environment.)
-Thich Nhat Hanh
What did you consume today? This week? This month? Taking control of what we consume, when we can, will lead to a happier and more focused life.
Vacation
Men are continually seeking retreats for themselves, in the country, or by the sea, or among the hills. Yet all this is the sheerest folly, for it is open to you every hour to retreat into yourself.
-Marcus Aurelius
Do you need a vacation? You bring yourself wherever you go and that should be a good thing. The break you need from your routine can happen anywhere and at any time if you understand that you are the source of happiness and peace.
Comparison
Stop aspiring to be anyone other than your own best self: for that does fall within your control.
– Epictetus
Do you compare yourself to others? Before you can be who you should be, you have to be clear about who you are. Your process will only ever be your own and each and every one of us is extremely unique. Instead of comparing and inevitably competing with others, learn from them and add value to their lives.
Happiness
True happiness is a verb.
-Epictetus
What makes you happy? For Epictetus, the answer is you. More specifically, what you do. When unhappy, literally do something that makes you happy. However small the action may seem or short it may last, it is the starting point to your happiness.
The Pocket Philosopher 