The best book I read this year was “The Subtle Art of Not Giving a Fu*ck” by Mark Manson. It was my favorite summer book. Later I saw a documentary with the same name featuring Mr. Manson, which is also highly recommended. It is in a way a book based on Stoic philosophy, without trying to be snobbish or academic.
Later I learned that the book has been quite popular even in a viral picture of esteemed US Congresswoman Ms. Katie Porter (D-California)
For years I have been a student of philosophy, first interested in Natural Philosophy for which I got a Ph. D. in 1982 at the Unversity of Newcastle U/Tyne, England. Those studies helped me be a scientist and work for the National Institute of Petroleum in Mexico where I ran a lab doing isotopic analysis for Geochronology. Measuring the age of rocks using the K/Ar method! In later years I have added metaphysical philosophy to include Stoicism to help me live a better life. Contrary to common belief, Stoicism is about the proper use of our emotions not as many think the elimination of our emotions, and control of our natural instincts that after human evolution have been a source of conflict in our lives.
One of the tenets of Stoic philosophy is “Memento Mori” (Remember Death) which is a reminder of our limited time on this Earth. For many thinking about death is depressing, but for me is uplifting because helps me have a broad perspective about life and things in general. One day I am going to be dead, then it will not matter. Others, my descendants, in particular, will continue with their lives having the same aspirations and struggles as the generations before. Sure, some things like technology have changed but the aspirations and the purposes have not. Human Nature is what has been since the beginning and will be until the end!
As it is in your own story, there are many stories and tales in my own that help me reflect on how many obstacles are there in each of our lives that are circumstantial and unavoidable but will always have a lesson that will improve who we are. Hopefully.
Let me write about one example. My grandfather’s grandfather, Geb Benson was shot to death in 1874 by a “neighbor” John Tuttle when my Great-great-grandfather was only 34 years old! His wife, my Great-great-grandmother, Irene was pregnant with her youngest child and had to go “back” to Iowa taking with her their other children, including my Great-grandmother Irene. Can you imagine the tragedy? How does a young mother have to endure such hardship and make ends meet to continue living and supporting her family? You may say: this is 2023 and it doesn’t matter what happened in 1874 but somehow, I tell myself, it does matter!
Memento Mori is a powerful tool to see and evaluate circumstances and provide the energy necessary to continue having a good life. One with inspiration and gratitude. After all the pursuit of happiness is the most important purpose in one’s life.
David J Terrell 