We all face challenges at some stage that seems to like disasters, as a matter of fact some are indeed disasters that will lead to a loss of some kind for us in life. This is part of normal life. Stoic philosophy says it is external and and externals should not determine our level of happiness. It is our perception on these externals that will change how we experience these significant life events.
I am currently experiencing it on both a macro and micro level. The micro level relates to my own finances where I am struggling to make ends meet while succeeding in my duty to assist my children with their studies. The macro level relates to me living in a metropolitan city that is preparing to run out of water. Both are equally eminent and will bring a level of discomfort and challenge along with it. In magnitude of course the macro issue is far greater since it will affect many people and can lead to the actual death of many people. Without water there is no life.
Within these periods of times I reallise more than ever the value of philosophy. To have an approach that you can follow with confidence. I cannot avoid the problems or issues but I do have a choice how to deal with the situation. It calls for courage, integrity and creativity. These types of unavoidable disasters challenge our core philosophical concepts and drives us to work from divine creative inspiration. We need to find new solutions and make fundamental shifts in our way of life.
Contemplating this situation it reminds me of the image of the Tower card in the Tarot. Sometimes the breakdown of our existing way of living, as painful as it is, will lead to new life and living patternd. For the mystic it is never to get dismayed but to keep living with hope to keep contemplating on solutions. The Stoic on the other hand accepts fate even if it threaten to shorten life. For the Stoic the aim remain ever to live with virtuous integrity remaining in tact.
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