A
July 3rd
TURN HAVE TO INTO GET TO“The task of a philosopher: we should bring our will into harmony with whatever happens, so that
nothing happens against our will and nothing that we wish for fails to happen.”
—EPICTETUS, DISCOURSES, 2.14.7long To-Do list seems intimidating and burdensome—all these things we have to do in the course of a
day or a week. But a Get To Do list sounds like a privilege—all the things we’re excited about the
opportunity to experience. This isn’t just semantic playing. It is a central facet of the philosopher’s
worldview.
Today, don’t try to impose your will on the world. Instead see yourself as fortunate to receive and
respond to the will in the world.
Stuck in traffic? A few wonderful minutes to relax and sit. Your car broke down after idling for so
long? Ah, what a nice nudge to take a long walk the rest of the way. A swerving car driven by a
distracted, cell-phone-wielding idiot nearly hit you as you were walking and soaked you head to toe with
muddy water? What a reminder about how precarious our existence is and how silly it is to get upset
about something as trivial as being late or having trouble with your commute!
Kidding aside, it might not seem like it makes a big difference to see life as something you have to do
versus get to do, but there is. A huge, magnificent difference.