from Phil Van Treuren
Epictetus said that there are objects in your life that you might enjoy, but it’s important to remember what they really are. He gives the example of a cup . . . if you like a specific cup, you should remind yourself that it’s really just some ceramic and paint. That way, if it ever breaks, you won’t be as upset.
Try applying that to things that might seem more important, too. If you’re proud of the house you live in, then tell yourself, “I’m really just proud of some wood, brick and drywall.”
And finally, when you kiss someone you love, tell yourself, “I’m kissing a human being, who could someday be taken away from me by stuff I don’t control.”
It’s always tough to lose someone you love. But reminding yourself that we’re all just mortals can make it a bit easier to handle whatever the future brings.