Where are the cracks?
Apply yourself to thinking through difficulties–hard times can be softened, tight squeezes widened, and heavy loads made lighter for those who can apply the right pressure.
Seneca, On Tranquility of Mind, 10.4b
Having faith in myself I find can be difficult. Problems loom large, the way forward is most often blocked or cluttered with obstacles. Seneca here wants to convince me that by ‘thinking through’ difficulties, there is a way to make it. The times may still be hard, but a little softer; the tight cracks can be expanded enough to squeeze through; the heavy loads can be lightened enough to be lifted.
Thinking is hard work! I must marshal my focus and limit distractions that crowd around wanting to be the center of attention. Like just now, I stared out the window watching some butterflies flit around our backyard butterfly bush and then on to thinking how much it will eventually cost to remediate the mold I’m certain is in the back walls of the house. Anything but thinking about my most immediate difficulty: what will I now do to make the most money in the most efficient way possible? The work feels daunting, but perfection is not required, good enough will do. Time to feed my FILDI some oranges!
August 6, 2018