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December 25th

DON’T BURN THE CANDLE AT BOTH ENDS

“The mind must be given relaxation—it will rise improved and

sharper after a good break. Just as rich fields must not be forced—

for they will quickly lose their fertility if never given a break—so

constant work on the anvil will fracture the force of the mind. But

it regains its powers if it is set free and relaxed for a while.

Constant work gives rise to a certain kind of dullness and

feebleness in the rational soul.”

—SENECA, ON TRANQUILITY OF MIND, 17.5

ne can’t read Marcus Aurelius and Seneca and not be struck by the
difference between these two radically different personalities. Each
had his own strengths and weaknesses. Which would you rather have
entrusted with the immense responsibility of an empire? Probably Marcus.
But who would you rather be as a person? Probably Seneca.
One of the reasons is that Seneca seems to have had what we would now
refer to as work/life balance. Whereas Marcus can read as though he’s worn
down and tired, Seneca always feels energetic, fresh, robust. His philosophy
of rest and relaxation—intermixed with his rigorous study and other Stoic
rituals—probably had a lot to do with it.
The mind is a muscle, and like the rest, it can be strained, overworked,
even injured. Our physical health is also worn down by overcommitment, a
lack of rest, and bad habits. Remember the tall tale about John Henry—the
man who challenged the machine? He died of exhaustion at the end. Don’t
forget that.
Today, you may face things that try your patience, require considerable
focus or clarity, or demand creative breakthroughs. Life is a long haul—it
will mean many such moments. Are you going to be able to handle them if