The modern world gives us something new every day, objects and services that our grandparents could not even dream of. However, modernity also brings with it many risks and unexpected events that sometimes make us reflect and conclude that it can be useful to go back to the past to recover some ever-green ideas, advice or life lessons, which can help us improve our lives.1. Gnothi seauton
This is a Greek aphorism contained in the ancient oracle of Delphi: "Know thyself".
The path that leads to self-knowledge is the most complex and exciting path that we can undertake during our life. In reality, we will not go far if we are not aware of our potential and do not take into account our limitations.
Success passes through self-knowledge, only when we know each other deeply are we able to make good decisions and make choices that will allow us to grow and achieve our goals. On the contrary, a lack of knowledge of ourselves leaves us at the mercy of circumstances and will probably lead us to follow a path that, in the final analysis, will not satisfy us.
2. Premeditation of Evil
The Stoics, including Seneca, argued that it was necessary to "foresee evil".
It is not about exalting negative thinking, but about preparing for the worst, in the good sense. In a society where positivism has been established to the bitter end, some have forgotten the importance of strategic negativism. In fact, good projects often fail for reasons that could have been avoided if only we had been able to anticipate them.
Furthermore, the ability to anticipate problems allows us to take a more objective perspective because we are often victims of catastrophic thinking that exaggerates the potential consequences of the problems themselves. However, when we force ourselves to imagine the worst case scenario and take an objective attitude, we realize that our emotions were playing a bad trick on us and that in reality it is not all as bad as we thought, which gives us the strength to continue. .
3. Focus
This simple but effective maxim of Buddhist philosophy: "concentrate" has been re-evaluated by modern currents of personal productivity.
In a world full of distractions, it is increasingly difficult to concentrate. And I'm not just referring to the ability to pay attention that we need to work or study, but the ability to focus on what really matters to us, learning to prioritize and target.
To be happy, to be more effective and to achieve our goals, we don't need more things, on the contrary, we need a lot less than what we have. When we simplify our lives, we lay bare what is essential so that we can focus on what really matters to each of us.
4. Things, not words
This old Latin proverb has survived to the present day, but few are able to put it into practice: “Facts, not words”.
On the one hand it refers to the need to implement our ideas and translate our dreams into action. Procrastination is our worst enemy, because it not only keeps us immobile, but because it is also a source of unnecessary worry through which we waste energy. Remember that no one has ever gone far without taking the first step. Fortunately, carrying out a project and being fully consistent is a skill that is learned and perfected with practice.
Furthermore, this proverb reminds us of the importance of being consistent with our feelings, ideas and beliefs. Our value system must find a way out through our attitudes and behaviors, only then will we feel fully satisfied with ourselves.
5. Carpe diem
The Roman poet Horace coined this phrase, so simple and profound: “Seize the day”.
An Australian nurse who cared for the terminally ill found that the biggest regrets of people who were dying were almost always the same: they all regretted not following their dreams and not giving themselves the opportunity to be happy. . The problem is that while we find ourselves trapped between the past and the future we neglect the present.
This maxim invites us to reflect on the transience of time and the need to do more. How to do? Learning to be fully present, enjoying the here and now, avoiding worries from ruining a good moment and, above all, putting ourselves to work to make our dreams come true.
