Saturday, May 01, 2010

It's Now Or Never


Caretake this moment.
Immerse yourself in its particulars.
Respond to this person, this challenge, this deed.

Quit the evasions.
Stop giving yourself needless trouble.
It is time to really live; to fully inhabit the situation you happen to
be in now.
You are not some disinterested bystander.
Exert yourself.

Respect your partnership with providence.
Ask yourself often, How may I perform this particular deed
such that it would be consistent with and acceptable to the divine will?
Heed the answer and get to work.

When your doors are shut and your room is dark you are not alone.
The will of nature is within you as your natural genius is within.
Listen to its importunings.
Follow its directives.

As concerns the art of living, the material is your own life.
No great thing is created suddenly.
There must be time.

Give your best and always be kind.

~ Epictetus ~

I posted this for myself as much as anyone. Forgive me for giving you another's words once again but my own seem stupid and clumsy of late.
My heart has been bothering me some this past week and it has occurred to me that when it skips and stumbles in it's rhythm, I also begin to stumble. I lose my stride and start to doubt things and people. Myself. I get a little scared and very tired. All the more reason to remember that last line.


*Elvis Presley

8 comments:

Tossing Pebbles in the Stream said...

I am sorry you have been experiencing some heart problems.
At first I thought you were refering to a romantic problems. A physical one is troubling indeed.

Your wise words by one of the wise ancient thinkers is appreciated. We need to look more to the words of such men and women (yes there were wise ancient women too.)

Eutychus2 said...

I am praying that your stumbling is not signs of a deeper physical problem; for sometimes stumbling can be signs to warn us to slow down, encourage us to be silent and to survey the landscape of our lives. God bless you.

MamaHen said...

Hey Philip! no, unfortunately I was born with a slight heart defect, although I have enough of the other kind of heart problem too!
yes, we should pay more attention to ancient wise words, now more than ever.

Hey Euty! thanks! well, when it acts up it does make me slow down some and that's ok. As long as it doesn't make me stop!

Rusty said...

I know it sounds too easy to say, 'take it easy'- but knowing there is a problem perhaps it's time to work with it. You have many years to look foreward to and you have wisdom, experience and skills you may share with others. Relax and take care of yourself. All the best!

HermitJim said...

Wisdom is timeless, regardless of when it was first said ...or by whom.

What we should strive for is the having enough of it ourselves to listen to what the others have to share with us!

Thanks for the update...and take care of yourself!

MamaHen said...

Hey Rusty! thanks man! I appreciate that and I've been chillaxing some lately.

Hey Jim! well said! thanks and I'm watchin' out for myself!

Beau said...

I love that... have read Epictetus' quotes for years, but somehow missed that one. Glad you are really listening to yourself... sometimes that's so hard to do.

MamaHen said...

Hey Beau! yes, it is sometimes. thanks!