Wednesday, April 13, 2011

Who Do YOU Want to Be?

Here is a wonderful guiding principle from the Greek philosopher Epictetus, whose teachings were beautifully interpreted by Sharon Lebell, in her A Manual for Living (HarperSanFrancisco):


“Who exactly do you want to be? What kind of person do you want to be? What are your personal ideals? Whom do you admire? What are their special traits that you would make your own?


“It’s time to stop being vague. If you wish to be an extraordinary person, if you wish to be wise, then you should explicitly identify the kind of person you aspire to become. If you have a daybook, write down who you’re trying to be, so that you can refer to this self-definition. Precisely describe the demeanor you want to adopt so that you may preserve it when you are by yourself or with other people.”


Action Steps:


Get out your journal and thoughtfully answer the questions that Epictetus poses in his essay.


Work on your self like a work of art. Sculpt your character and your future. Set down who you want to be with clarity and intensity.


Commit wholeheartedly to the New You.

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