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Today is Epicurus's Birthday (10th of Gamelion in the Attic calendar). Before he died, the philosopher asked his followers to remember him on his birthday each year.
Epicurus is best known for his philosophical stance on living a good life. In his formulation, chasing after money or fame or big causes was just a source of pain. The best thing in life is sharing simple pleasures like good food, the beauty of nature, and interesting conversation with good friends and family.
I feel like I spend a lot of my time thinking about Big Ideas and Important Causes. I really appreciate the reminder of what really matters -- making connections and feeling fulfilled with the real world and people around me.
One set of advice that Epicureans use is the Tetrapharmakon -- the Fourfold Medicine. It goes like this:
Don't fear the gods.
Don't fear death.
Good things are easy to get.
Bad things are easy to endure.
"Don't fear the gods": they probably don't exist. If they do, they aren't concentrating on personal attacks on you.
"Don't fear death": you're not dead now, so there's nothing to fear. When you're dead, you won't exist, so you won't feel anything.
"Good things are easy to get": simple pleasures abound. Sun, sky, trees, bread, water, fruit, a kind word, an interesting thought.
[Cont'd]
"Bad things are easy to endure". If the bad thing kills you, then you're dead, and we know there's nothing to fear there. If they don't kill you, then you endured them. Good job!
@evan Whatever doesn’t kill you doesn’t kill you.