Mastery: The Grass Is Greener On Your Side

Issue No. 33 | August 14th, 2023 | Read Time: 2 Minutes

Happy Monday Everyone!

You've heard the cliché.

The grass is greener on the other side.

I'm confident you already know what it means, but let's pretend you don't for a second.

In the simplest explanation possible, it means there are better things out there.

It's typically the motto for those who are constantly jealous of what other people have. 

They focus so much on the luscious green color of their neighbor's grass, that they forget to even water their own. 

And that leads me to my next point.

When was the last time you sat down to really appreciate what you have?

Because if you're not thankful for what you've been given, how do you expect to be given anything more?

And some people might respond with,

"There's nothing to be thankful for."

Or,

"My life is a mess."

If that's your response, then I have one thing to say.

Is it that your life's a mess, or that you're

perceiving

it as one?

The Stoics believed that everything is a matter of judgment.

Meaning, it's up to you to decide how to interpret whatever happens in your life. 

Oh, so you're sick?

Don't whine about it. View it as a time to rest and catch up on that book you've been meaning to read.

Your car broke down?

Don't blame the universe. Blame yourself for not maintaining it as you were supposed to and just get it fixed.

Anyone can focus on the negativity in their lives. But it takes a true Stoic to flip the script and learn to love it.

As the Stoics used to say,

Armor Fati

.

Meaning, you must have a

love of fate

.

Don't wish for anything other than what it is.

To not only put up with your life, but love it.

And it starts with watering your own grass.

Because when you do, you might just notice your side is greener.

Until next time,

Isaiah Taylor

Dive Deeper

What I'm Currently Reading -

I'm still reading

The Inner Citadel

by Pierre Hadot, a book that dissects the meaning behind Marcus Aurelius'

Meditations

and the Philosophy of Stoicism.

• If you'd like to see my notes pertaining to any other book I have previously read, then check out my websiteisaiahctaylor.comto view my entire library of notes and summaries.

Quote Of The Week

• "Though no one can go back and make a brand new start, anyone can start from now and make a brand new ending." — Carl Bard