In this article we will address some of the reasons why we give up on things. Additionally, we will look at how Stoicism can help you overcome the obstacles in your life to become a better version of yourself.
Do you ever catch yourself asking “Why am I doing this?” Of course you do. This question comes to our mind most often when the current task is too hard or if it becomes boring in the process. We usually ask ourselves about the purpose of our actions because we are frustrated. There is nothing worse than spending your time on things you consider irrelevant and meaningless. However, we also ask ourselves this question when doing something important for a lengthy period of time, as it is only natural to lose sight of our goals.
Giving up on things, especially when they are important, ultimately weakens our will and character. For example, if you convince yourself that you can’t read for two hours straight, then your perceived limits will be reduced every time you try to read. In the end, you will forget the purpose behind your struggles and you will no longer fight to overcome even the smallest of obstacles.
Weak Minds and the Origins of Nihilism
In this meditation, we will try to remind ourselves of the importance of seeing our goals through. Let’s jump into a thought experiment. Perform an examination of the goals and values in your life. Ask yourself about the reasons behind your actions. Why do you go to work? Why do you study? Why do you exercise? Why do you wake up early? Why are you doing this project? The questions keep lining up. Bear in mind, if this questioning continues ad infinitum, you will likely come to the nihilistic conclusion that nothing matters.
This conclusion is wrong because it forces us to abandon rationality and to go backwards infinitely. This doesn’t provide us with a deeper knowledge; all we get is another “why”. The second flaw of such thinking is its lack of objectivity. This is the reasoning of a tired mind and a background filled with negative emotions.
The world is not centered around our malfunctioning psychological state, so nihilistic conclusions are out of the question. Marcus Aurelius shares the same opinion on this matter:
“Yes, you can–if you do everything as if it were the last thing you were doing in your life, and stop being aimless, stop letting your emotions override what your mind tells you, stop being hypocritical, self-centered, irritable.”
Marcus Aurelius
To avoid this nihilistic train of thought, remember that you are not alone in this world. Don’t look at your goals as only your own. Everything you do affects others in many ways. Our actions resonate further than our sight can reach. Besides our personal interest and gain, there is also a general interest and gain. For example, if you want to become a good musician, think about what you can give to the world, not simply about your personal gain. If you want to become a scientist imagine how you could help humanity in many ways.
Overcome and Adapt – Meditation on Persistence
It is okay if you lose sight of your goal. This can happen when you set up goals that are far away or too high. It is a normal thing to get frustrated from time to time when you try to think about how far away you are from completing your goal. To prevent this feeling, try separating your goals into little steps so they seem more accomplishable and you can evidently see how much you have already done.
Adapt your mind to focus on the present moment. Peering into the future will only waste your time in pointless imagination. With that in mind, do what you can now. Try to convince yourself that the only fragment of time that is truly important is right now.
There will be times when obstacles get in your way. Sometimes they will frustrate you or make you feel hopeless, but you can’t be afraid of the big obstacles. Obstacles are crucial in our lives and work, because obstacles can show us other paths that we couldn’t see before.
You will find new strength in yourself after every victory. Look backwards on your life for a moment and see how many battles you have already won, and consider how many of those you deemed unbeatable at the time. Our minds are adaptable like water; don’t treat it as a solid rock – you won’t be able to move it and you will consequently remain stuck in one place. Learn to overcome and adapt to new situations and people, and you will obtain the strength necessary to carry on for every future obstacle.
“Because we can accommodate and adapt. The mind adapts and converts to its own purposes the obstacle to our acting. The impediment to action advances action. What stands in the way becomes the way”.
Marcus Aurelius
