sethington14757-blog

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Got new plants! https://www.instagram.com/p/B_5UE38Hh07/?igshid=g5cbqzdiy0cl

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Will this make me a better man? As yourself this regarding your thoughts, your words, your actions. How you do one thing can become how you do everything. Are you in the right state of mind, choosing to see the beauty or the decay? Embody the virtues you hold to be true. Your truth. You are in control of only this, your reasoned choice. Corruption is in all things and all people. You cannot force then to do what you deem to be the right thing, only provide them with a choice. Thisis paradox of righteousness. Beauty, alongside ugliness lies within all things. They are within and emanate without. This is what you see. When you decide. There is no paragon a righteousness, or of sin. Just people molded by both.

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"The raw material for the work of a good and excellent person has their own guiding reason, body is that the doctor and the physical trainer, and the farm the farmer." - Epictetus, Discourses 3.3.1 Perspective, meaning, and satisfaction in life do not manifest because the job we have or our responsibilities are inherently altruistic, we decide this. No matter what path you take, or skill you master, or path you take, remember that the tools that develop your mind are always there waiting. They will never rust or rot, they are honed and improved by repeated use; they can be wielded in any situation, by anyone, at any time, in all endeavors. #stoicism #stoic #journaling #mindfulness #lovelife #philosophyquotes @dailystoic https://www.instagram.com/p/B_0CpX4DrpX/?igshid=10d42mzu4i8ys

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Ask yourself: Am I acting out? Am I projecting some kind of inner suffering unto others? Am I inflicting pain because I am in pain? Would someone treating me in this way damage me severely? 

 When we ask ourselves these questions, they may change what we think, say and do. In so doing, we may be able to change someone else in a positive way. We can never know truly what is going on inside of another person, even what they tell us is only a filtered fragment of they inner self. but that does not mean we cannot damage it. Just some quick thoughts on kindness. beautiful quote.

Life is a lot more fragile than we think. So you should treat others in a way that leaves no regrets. Fairly, and if possible, sincerely.

— Haruki Murakami

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It’s Mental Health Month, Tumblr!

Your mental health is important. Because of the coronavirus, people all around the world are experiencing high levels of mental and emotional stress. That’s why this year’s Mental Health Month initiative will focus on common aspects of isolation and loneliness: how to protect, maintain, and improve your mental health, how to manage your relationships inside and outside of your household, how to combat boredom, and how to deal with the grief you might be feeling.

All month long our friends at Ditch the Label (@ditchthelabel), a UK anti-bullying non-profit, will post resources to guide you through some of the emotional hardships you may be feeling right now. Here on @postitforward, we’ll be reblogging the best stuff we see from them, the top-notch stuff we see from the rest of the Tumblr community, and posting exclusive original art from some of our very own Tumblr @creatrs. 

Some of you may be concerned with your mental health for the first time in your life. For others, existing mental health issues may be exacerbated by current events—especially for those of you who may be quarantined with people whose values are at odds with your own. We see you, and we want to help.

If you don’t want to see these posts, that’s okay! Taking good care of your mind comes in many forms. We’ll tag all of our posts with “cw mental health month” as well as more specific tags when appropriate so you can use the tag filtering tool to keep them from your dashboard. And, hey, if you’re looking for a totally stress-free zone, go out and check out Cozy (@cozy)—it’s a blog we created to embrace a little escapism. Otherwise, be sure to give Ditch the Label (@ditchthelabel) a follow if you’re interested in the tools and guidance they will be providing starting May 4.

One last thing: If you or someone you know are struggling and don’t know where to turn to, here’s a list of free counseling services located all over the world

Do your best to take care of yourself, Tumblr. <3

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Rediscovery of Self Discovery

I sometimes notice how weighted some words are, how we attach so much meaning to phrases and concepts which are merely ideas that do not actually exist outside of ourselves. even our own interpretation of these ideas do not translate 100% to other people; they have their own beliefs, their own constructs and perspectives.  that being said, id like to share mine.

I understand that it may seem arrogant to assume that my word matters more than any other person, which i do not believe to be true. yet what i do think is that all opinions, matter, all voices matter. they are stories, incites, quotes and knowledge, experience, news, emotions, gossip; narratives which make humanity what they are. we are story tellers, and those stories shape the way we see the world. when everything around us appears degraded, toxic, filled with the evil and destruction which we are capable of, this becomes the lens that we view the world through. the current world view beckons war, invites poverty, solicits disease.  what we must do instead, is view the world from a place of healing, restoration, and peace. this is my attempt to do so, to channel the voice inside of me so that other people may do the same. I don’t want fame, or renown, I only strive to be a better man, and while that first begins with the self, we are not selfish being. we a a part of a greater collective of vast interdependence which is currently beyond my current knowledge or understanding. All I know is that I know nothing to quote Socrates. 

This is going to be a journey of the heart, mind , and soul. I want to explore myself and the world around me, and show you what I find. But what ask of you, is that you do the same. that is what matters more here. Be True my friends.

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"For philosophy doesn't consist in outward display, but in taking heed to what is needed and being mindful to it." Musonius Rufus, Lectures 15.75.15-16 @dailystoic The people see who you are and what you stand for the goodness of your character, not by any superficial trait or externals. A good person can wear a uniform or be donned in rags, be the head of enormous estate ,or be a humble laboror. Never judge a smile or a scowl, let action speak for itself. #stoicism #stoicphilosophy #stoicquotes #stoicstrength #stoicmindset #dailystoic https://www.instagram.com/p/B_pUT7oH6Pp/?igshid=osp375f87zqi

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"You let your attention slide for a bit, don't think you'll get back a grip on it whenever you wish instead there in mind that because of today's mistake everything that follows will be necessarily worse." - Epictetus, Discourses 4.12.1;19 @dailystoic I challenge you to be singularly focused in this time of crisis. There's no such thing as multitasking. Multiple high-level tasks cannot be finished at the high-level wish their priority demands when our attention is split. We're only left with two unfinished projects. I want to make meaningful progress in any endeavor, our devotion should be deliberate and intentional. Our actions should carry meaning. No great accomplishment a work of art speech athletic achievement was ever finished will also doing anything besides in that given moment. There a numerous mundane and menial tasks which must be done of course, hundreds of attentions seeking ad and distractions which detract from our lives, our moment.... But when you're on social media while talking to your spouse.... Playing with your kids and balancing your check book... This cannot happen. They will notice, you will make mistakes, you will get angry, lash out, run in circles and get nowhere. #stoicism #stoicphilosophy #philosophyquotes #epictetus #mindset #bepresent #mindset #canthurtme # https://www.instagram.com/p/B_QGIi4HqXp/?igshid=1ddvuc16ifv1z

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Pages are more patient than people. #journaling #thoughtsonpaper #stoicism #philosophy #clarity #therapy #wakeup (at Sedona, Arizona) https://www.instagram.com/p/B5P6QA7H8GG/?igshid=dgog5b9wv3eq

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"Little bit of Prescott" #wanderer #hike #adventure #hiker #dog #prescottaz #northernaz #arizona (at Prescott, Arizona) https://www.instagram.com/p/B5BjiNNH0GM/?igshid=ctu6dckxoz6q

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"'Protect what belongs to you at all costs; don't desire what belongs to another.' trustworthiness is your own, decency and a sense of shame; no one can take them from you or prevent you from using these qualities except your self- which you do the moment you begin to care about what isn't yours, surrendering what is yours in the process."

Epictetus, Discourses book I ,xxv (4)

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Hello yellow (at Sedona, Arizona) https://www.instagram.com/p/B4-w-2THjry/?igshid=1vmo5n67ye7yp

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Compartmentalized Living

“We humans, facing limits of knowledge, and things we do not observe, the unseen and the unknown, resolve the tension by squeezing life and the world into crisp commoditized ideas, reductive categories, specific vocabularies, and packages narratives”. - Nassim Nicholas Taleb

It is far easier for us to develop preconceived notions on others and ideas, and sorting strategies for foreign information and experiences. People are herded into locked corrals based on what we deem to be true based on this flawed, individualized system, with no way of testing for validity. Leaving this new person, new stimulus branded by judgement we manifest with their objection or concession. Some souls seem to take great pride in separating themselves from ‘them, the ‘others’. They know the truth, and are in no hurry to hear the representation of the adverse point of view. The only real truth lies within ‘ knowing thyself’, however there dichotomy here is that when we search deeply enough we find that all we know is that we know nothing. 

We plant out flag in the earth ready to do battle, to conquer, systematically subdue and establish a hierarchy of what is right, any resistance will face our might. 

To be found on either end is a calamity in its own way. The persecutor committing oppressive atrocities, and their victims being stripped of their external identity, succumbing to physical harm, social alienation and ridicule. No one deserves to suffer, but it happens at such a rate that there is no avoidance in the matter. We cannot take down the tyrant without becoming one ourselves. Good cannot be done by evil means.

As with the tyrant,  when the identity of the victim fall outside of themselves, they forfeit their control over their lives and wellbeing, because these things can be stripped from them at any given time. You are still you without money, property, notoriety. Your body may be chained, but no your mind, not your ability to reason, to feel, to cope. Nothing that truly makes you who you are will ever be touchable by and force or display of hatred. When we attach ourselves to things outside of our control, we leave ourselves vulnerable to the world. We have a life which we never chose to have, when, where, how, why, is not for us to decide. We only decide what to do with the life that is given to us.

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“But if we are endowed by nature with the potential for greatness, why do only some of us achieve it? ‘Well do all horses become stallions?... I will be more than socrates, but if i am no worse then i am satisfied… In short, we do not abandon any discipline for despair of being the best in it”. - Epictetus, Discourses, I, 3 (34-37)     Perfection is the enemy of the good. Many perceive those who are doused in the limelight for their achievements to be beyond human. Born great, handed fame, bestowed success, inherited wealth. If this were truly the case, then the ambiguity we feel in regards to our own potential, and the self loathing and sabotage we inflict ourselves with would be non-existent. We would be following the strict guidelines of our lives defined by our given role and status within society and nature. A lion always eats the gazelle, who grazes in the plains. We all have our part to play.     Yet, we know this in our hearts not to be the case, that the true reality of our despair is not because of pre-ordained laws and absolutes. We feel defeated by people at the top who are not looking to harm us, we end our own ascension before we think to start. While it is true that there is indeed a peak in every venture, and ideal to strive toward, with someone waving their flag in triumph, those at the summit did not float there atop a cloud. They climbed. They began with the same trepidation, gut wrenching feelings the same as the rest of us, they struggled on with tired eyes and weary feet. They asked the same things from themselves, tested their mettle against the next obstacle, and contemplated giving up.      Other creatures on earth are born into a world already defined for them. A  tiger’s progeny are born with the tools and instincts for proficiency in their given life. The resources for success are innate in then, yet this is likewise their limiting factor. We begin with nothing, but with that absence of rigidity, we are limitless in our possibilities. We acquire the necessary knowledge, we build our own resiliency, and over time not only make the climb, but shape the land for the next generation, build a roadmap for our legacy. #stoicism #epictetus (at Amitabha Stupa & Peace Park) https://www.instagram.com/p/B4scO9MHaYO/?igshid=1zb7zqa0ussf

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Momento Mori.

remember that you will die.

live life to the fullest, look back on each day, and reflect upon whether you think it was worth the life that you spent living it. 

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Stoic Strength #1

“But if we are endowed by nature with the potential for greatness, why do only some of us achieve it? ‘Well do all horses become stallions?... I will be more than Socrates, but if i am no worse then i am satisfied… In short, we do not abandon any discipline for despair of being the best in it”. - Epictetus, Discourses, I, 3 (34-37)

Perfection is the enemy of the good. Many perceive those who are doused in the limelight for their achievements to be beyond human. Born great, handed fame, bestowed success, inherited wealth. If this were truly the case, then the ambiguity we feel in regards to our own potential, and the self loathing and sabotage we inflict ourselves with would be non-existent. We would be following the strict guidelines of our lives defined by our given role and status within society and nature. A lion always eats the gazelle, who grazes in the plains. We all have our part to play.

Yet, we know this in our hearts not to be the case, that the true reality of our despair is not because of pre-ordained laws and absolutes. We feel defeated by people at the top who are not looking to harm us, we end our own ascension before we think to start. While it is true that there is indeed a peak in every venture, and ideal to strive toward, with someone waving their flag in triumph, those at the summit did not float there atop a cloud. They climbed. They began with the same trepidation, gut wrenching feelings the same as the rest of us, they struggled on with tired eyes and weary feet. They asked the same things from themselves, tested their mettle against the next obstacle, and contemplated giving up. 

Other creatures on earth are born into a world already defined for them. A  tiger’s progeny are born with the tools and instincts for proficiency in their given life. The resources for success are innate in then, yet this is likewise their limiting factor. We begin with nothing, but with that absence of rigidity, we are limitless in our possibilities. We acquire the necessary knowledge, we build our own resiliency, and over time not only make the climb, but shape the land for the next generation, build a roadmap for out legacy. So they are not only able to ascend to similar heights, but surpass us in prowess. 

“ Man, the rational animal can put up with anything except what seems to him irrational; whatever is rational is tolerable,” -Epictetus I,2 (1)

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Instead of debating whether or not restaurants should serve straws, why don't we all just pick up trash when we see it?

Ryan Holliday