You Could be Living Wrong

Summary

The article advocates for a balanced approach to life, emphasizing the importance of appreciating the present while also setting and considering future goals and outcomes.

Abstract

The author reflects on the philosophy of Epicurus, a hedonist who pursued pleasure but also warned against the endless cycle of desire. The article suggests that while it's crucial to enjoy the current moment, one should not ignore the importance of planning for the future and considering the consequences of one's actions. It argues against a life devoid of desires, advocating instead for a life enriched by goals and the satisfaction derived from achieving them. The author's grandfather echoes this sentiment, reminding us that dissatisfaction can arise from both the known and the unknown, and that a balanced approach to life is key to contentment.

Opinions

The author acknowledges a personal struggle with contentment, often feeling the need to strive for more despite the stress it causes.
Epicurus is presented as a careful hedonist, who valued the present but also recognized the potential for dissatisfaction in the pursuit of new pleasures.
The author's grandfather offers a practical perspective on contentment, highlighting the risks of desiring what one does not have.
The article opposes a black-and-white approach to life, suggesting that neither constant striving for the next thing nor passive contentment with the present is ideal.
Goal setting and the pursuit of desires are seen as essential components of a fulfilling life, as long as they are balanced with living in the moment.
Pondering the outcomes of one's actions is emphasized as a fundamental aspect of happiness

Diluting your life could be your biggest regret

Do not spoil what you have by desiring what you have not; that what you now have was once among the things you only hoped for.” -Epicurus

I have a problem with not actually being happy with what I currently have. I believe in always pushing forward to new heights and searching for better horizons. This is certainly not a bad thing, but it has definitely led to some negative effects in my life, like unnecessary stress.

Epicurus was a Hedonist; someone who relentlessly pursued pleasure. The constant conquest of pleasure definitely held a sort of intimidating air for me. I want to have fun but I didn’t want to go overboard.

Epicurus is what we could call a careful hedonist. In the above quote, he’s telling us to take a deep breath and accept the fact that the present is about as good as it gets. He’s asking us to take the time to realize that acquiring the next new thing will only take us back to the start line: desiring and chasing something new.

My grandpa less eloquently stated this very same fact,

“You already know what you don’t like about what you got, but you’ll never be sure of what you won’t like of what you don’t got.”

We as humans will always find something wrong with our current situation.

But should there be exceptions to Epicurus’ extreme idea of going through life without any desires at all?

I don’t think we should take such a black and white approach to life. Life is about balance. We should enjoy every single minute of life at that very minute. But just sitting in that moment, languidly, with no thought to what comes next, will cause even more discontent.

An important part of life is setting goals. Accomplishing those goals is what brings satisfaction in life. Knowing what is ahead of you is just as important as living in the moment and enjoying the season of life you’re currently in. It all comes down to pondering the outcome of the path you’re on.

Pondering the outcome is fundamental to living a happy life. Simply enjoying the moment without a thought to the outcome of your actions is a poor way to go through life. If I was to skip work because I wanted to enjoy the moment of sleep I was currently in, I would lose my job. If I was to eat everything that came in sight that even looked remotely appetizing because that’s what I wanted at the moment, I would regret the effect that lifestyle would have on my body. Weighing options and considering outcomes is an important part of being a human.

Don’t dilute your life by always wondering what’s next, never enjoying the now.

Don’t waste your life by only enjoying the now and never pondering the outcome of what’s next.

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