👋 Hey phi-lazy-phers
I’m going to keep this post relatively short because there is a gratitude meditation at the end that, I believe, is more worthy of your time.
Before you do that, though, let’s see why many philosophers agree with Cicero who said, “gratitude is not only the greatest of virtues but the parent of all others.”
Epicurus
Do not spoil what you have by desiring what you have not; remember that what you now have was once among the things you only hoped for.
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Germany Kent
It's a funny thing about life, once you begin to take note of the things you are grateful for, you begin to lose sight of the things that you lack.
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Marcus Aurelius
Take full account of the excellencies which you possess, and in gratitude remember how you would hanker after them, if you had them not.
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Vietnamese Proverb
When eating fruit, think of the person who planted the tree.
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Hannah Whitall Smith
The soul that gives thanks can find comfort in everything; the soul that complains can find comfort in nothing.
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Seneca
A wise man is content with his lot, whatever it may be, without wishing for what he has not.
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Ralph Waldo Emerson
Cultivate the habit of being grateful for every good thing that comes to you, and to give thanks continuously. And because all things have contributed to your advancement, you should include all things in your gratitude.
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Eckhart Tolle
Acknowledging the good that you already have in your life is the foundation for all abundance.
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Roy T. Bennett
Always remember people who have helped you along the way, and don’t forget to lift someone up.
If you’re like me, it’s easy to blame our constant discontent on social media or the consumer-centric society in which we live, but the truth is we’ve been dealing with this well before the teachings of Epicurus, which began around 311 BC.
But we can find ways to remind ourselves of all the things for which we should be grateful. One of my favorite things to listen to when I need this reality check is a quick, guided mediation from Sam Harris’ Waking Up app. You can listen to it on YouTube here (see, more things to be thankful for: the internet and people sharing helpful lessons with the world). To get the full experience of this meditation, I’d encourage you to listen to it while sitting down with your eyes closed.
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✌️ Until next week, happy philosophizing.
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