August 16th, 2021
Just as the nature of rational things has given to each person their rational powers, so it also gives us this power — just as nature turns to its own purpose any obstacle or any opposition, sets its place in the destined order, and co-opts it, so every rational person can convert any obstacle into the raw material for their own purpose.
A repeating theme in Stoicism is to find the opportunities within our problems. How do we find a way to use the lemons that life throws at us?
When we encounter obstacles in life, we have a few choices. Many choose to give up at this point. Others may set out with a new plan. A Stoic would be resourceful and find an advantage within the obstacle.
Part of Stoicism is finding ourselves. Using our strengths is easy, but using weakness to our advantage requires resourcefulness.