Around 50 A.D. a humble slave named Epictetus was born in Heirapolis. Though his situation did not provide him with all freedoms, he was lucky enough to be sent away by his master to study philosophy under Musonius Rufus, a great Stoic Philosopher of the time. His impact on Epictetus would be profound. Sometime after the death of Emperor Nero in 68 A.D., Epictetus was given his freedom, eventually founding his own school in Nicopolis. Despite becoming famous and respected (his school was attended by many children of the Roman elite), Epictetus – inspired by Socrates – continued to live an aesthetic life in a small hut with only a lamp and a rug in his possession. Also (but maybe not intentionally) in the spirit of Socrates, Epictetus left no records of his own. His works “Discourses” and “Enchiridion” were luckily written by his pupil, Arrian.
Like many Stoics, Epictetus tended to focus on ideas of ethics, and on living the philosophic life. He tended to have a bold view of the human capacities, and a willingness to adopt the proper perspective. One such example is beautifully put;
“Yet God has not only given us these faculties by which we may bear everything that comes to pass without being crushed or depressed thereby, but like a good king or father, he has given us this without let or hinderance, placed wholly at our own disposition, without reserving to himself any power of impediment or restraint.”
In my opinion, one of Epictetus’ great lessons is that our experience is dictated from our perspective and our thoughts. He is known to have pointed out that it is not events that effect us, but our thoughts of such events – that it is not an act or incident that offends us, but our opinion that the given event is insulting. In the above quote, Epictetus plainly puts that we hold the ability to endure all events in our lives though our own consciousness.
One might argue that we do not always take the view of things that is most conducive to our own peace and happiness. The “stupid bills” or the “damn car” or the “f***ing weather” don’t exactly put us in a state of joy. I know what you’re thinking; should we come to love and seek out flat tires and hurricanes? Not necessarily, and I don’t think Epictetus would advise us to do to. He might, however, ask what ABOUT the flat tire we can learn from or appreciate, or what ABOUT the hurricane can he have fun with? Maybe when we’re staying indoors to avoid bad weather, we can take time to study something that fascinates us, maybe a power shortage results in a unique candlelight dinner.
In addition to the valuable message of the quote, there is a lesson to be learned about the method in which Epictetus writes it. He frames the meaning of the conditions of human life in a way that promotes our appreciation, our positivity. He says “not only” do we been granted this fantastic ability to endure all events by altering our perspective, but that this power is wholly under our control, and its exercise might develop us as people. He COULD have said “yeah, we’ve got this ability to endure hardships with our conscious focus, but we have to work for it, why couldn’t God just be nice to us and make us always at peace instead of having to develop the ability within?” But don’t you see, this would be contradicting his own wisdom! In conveying our capabilities to use the ability to interpret events in an empowering way, he also takes an empowering perspective and EMBRACES AND APPRECIATES the fact that we ourselves cultivate this ability for our own good. This bit of wisdom carries a message and an example.
Where might we apply this to our own lives? How do events in our own lives effect us, and what are the meanings we tie to them? We might endeavor ourselves in providing empowering meaning behind all events in our lives. You might start with appreciating that you weren’t born a slave and you have more to your name than a piece of carpet! But know that even then you could be happy. : )
Fulfillment and Philosophy 
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