XXVIII. Have a Drink
This helps us win in the long term.
“Occasionally we should even come to the point of intoxication, sinking into drink but not being totally flooded by it; for it does wash away cares, and stirs the mind to its depths, and heals sorrow just as it heals certain diseases.” — Seneca
This is a story of The Wolf & His Shadow from Aesop’s Fables.
A Wolf left his lair one evening in fine spirits and an excellent appetite.
As he ran, the setting sun cast his shadow far out on the ground, and it looked as if the wolf were a hundred times bigger than he really was.
"Why," exclaimed the Wolf proudly, "see how big I am! Fancy me running away from a puny Lion! I'll show him who is fit to be king, he or I."
Just then an immense shadow blotted him out entirely, and the next instant a Lion struck him down with a single blow.
Overblown self-importance is destructive. That’s why we must create time for leisure.
Resting gives us a bird’s eye view of our life: work, relationships, and inner life, which is important to help us integrate what we've learned or observed while up close and tunnel-visioned.
In these leisurely states, we're open to the gut feel of the soul, of trends before they happen and spot patterns mapping out what works, helping us quickly take advantage of the precipice and make a name for ourselves or adapt from what’s dying.
We spot looming problems before they become unmanageable.
We get to see and work on what no one else is focusing on because they're either rigidly locked in past maneuvers or easily swept off by gimmicks — overlooking the importance of first principles and what constitutes the timeless.
This helps us win in the long term. Seneca said,
“The mind must be given relaxation, it will rise improved and sharper after a good break. Just as rich fields must not be forced…so constant work on the anvil will fracture the force of the mind.”
Work a little less today and go enjoy yourself. You’ll be better for it.
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See you tomorrow. xo
A.V