“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.”
- Marcus Aurelius, Meditations, 8.35
August 16, 2021 7:00 AM
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.
Conclusion
Part of Stoicism is finding ourselves. Using our strengths is easy, but using weakness to our advantage requires resourcefulness.