TJL #70: Life is like picking shells on the beach (Daily productivity #45)

This month in Daily Productivity: philosophy!

Feb 03, 2021

The Illustrated London News Etching From 1854.mont Orgueil Castle In Jersey Painted By J Wilson Jnr. Sailing Boats With Castle In Background - Stock Photo - Dissolve

Life is like picking shells on the beach. From Epictetus’ Enchiridion:

Consider when, on a voyage, your ship is anchored; if you go on shore to get water you may along the way amuse yourself with picking up shells or rocks. However, your thoughts and continual attention ought to be bent towards the ship, waiting for the captain to call on board; you must then immediately leave all these things, otherwise you will be thrown into the ship, bound neck and feet like a sheep.
So it is with life. If, instead of rocks or shells, you are given a wife or child, that is fine. But if the captain calls, you must run to the ship, leaving them, and regarding none of them. But if you are old, never go far from the ship: lest, when you are called, you should be unable to come in time. — Enchiridion, 7. Epictetus

Accept gracefully in life all that is handed to you, but be aware of the fact that all the things are timely in nature. Thinking otherwise is foolish. Your parents, siblings, family, friends, everything is timely. Either they pass before you do or you pass before they do, there is no other option.

This might sound very depressing and to be honest, it somewhat is. But you can also view this from a positive perspective. Precisely because your time is limited with each other, enjoy it all the more! Cherish your friends and family more than ever for your time is limited here and the captain can call at any time. This is the message I think Epictetus is trying to tell us here.

How you can use this to become more productive

What does an ancient philosopher have to do with productivity?

Not so much one might say, I beg to differ. How we think influences how we act, and how we act is how we become productive. Better thinking means more productivity. I like this piece because it makes you think and forces you to understand the world and your role in it from a higher perspective. And maybe, just maybe, this piece can make you hurry up a little bit more, for the captain can call at any time.

Previous TJLs

Read my previous TJLs by following on the links down below:

Today Jan Learned

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