It does not matter what you bear, what matters is how you bear it.
This quote was taken from Seneca’s ’On the shortness of life’ and it symbolises the importance of perspective. This refreshing look on life advises us to accept all that comes our way, and respond in the right manner to what comes our way based on our values. We get our values from our experiences, friendships and education of the self and this is what should formulate our reactions to all that come our way. A stoic like Seneca would try to see the good in everyone, the positive in every negative – bearing his problems and life battles by facing them with his values. And these values, positive or negative are almost certainly reinforced by stoic principles of acceptance, self-education, mindfulness and love.
Therefore, no matter what comes your way, observe your reaction to it. Think deeply about your perception of everything that happens to you, and if you find yourself in a constant state of angst and sadness, it might be time to look at changing your values.
Who is Seneca?
Seneca, born in southern Spain over 2,000 years ago in 4 BC and educated in Rome was a high-ranking financial clerk who pursued a career in politics. He worked with Emperor Nero as his tutor and advisor for many years which is where he was subsequently killed by order of Nero himself due to suspicion of Seneca being treacherous. He died in 65 AD. He was interested in many different types of philosophies but sold himself on the idea and concept of Stoicism primarily coined by Zeno in theory. Read by important figures in society such as Nassim Nicholas Taleb and Tim Ferris, the writings of Seneca compiled into the books that express his ideas are still very influential even today.