The wisdom of Ancient Greece – it has always proven most useful. From technology, to aerospace, to literature and philosophy. They are the backbone of most of the things we know and love today. Not only were they keen inventors of children’s toys and every day devices, they also had certain outlooks on life and how to live your life to the fullest. Philosophy was arguably the most pertinent part of their thought processes and actions – there was always the question of ‘what is life and how do we fulfil it?’ which is a question I find I frequently ask myself. I’ve spent countless hours over my high-school and sixth-form years deliberating on an answer for this question, but I recently came to a conclusion: life is what you make of it. It’s abstract and constructive - you can’t see it but you are your own creator. When you fill your days with the things you love, putting your best foot forward and doing things in your own best interest, your happiness will begin to shine through. The meaning of life is different for everyone but as long as you do what makes you happiest and you are living your days with a smile on your face and a warm heart, that is the essence of what life means to you. That is your centre. Find your centre, exercise those rituals and work around that happiness – THAT is life. Plato, the Athenian Ancient Greek philosopher, once said ‘a good life is a life of virtue’ and I think those eight words really capture exactly what life is and what it’s all about.
You may look at the way you are living right now and think ‘life seems pretty dull right now’ and I have felt that way a number of times. It has taken me a while to realise that while it is important to live in the moment, it is the bigger picture that counts. Sometimes you have to accept the humdrum days for what they are – like days at school – and use them to work towards your life goal. I have struggled through so many monotonous days at school with my life goal in mind – to get my PhD and to go to university so I can eventually teach classics and Greek philosophy. Even if you don’t have a ‘life goal’ in mind, set a small goal. Something like ‘when I get through the rest of this day, I’ll treat myself to ice-cream.’ Things like that to keep the happiness in life, even in the dullest of days. There was a Greek philosopher called Epicurus who was a rather agnostic materialist who said that the meaning of life was to achieve sustainable peace which will lead you to a state of tranquillity – ataraxia. And, according to the infamous Aristotle, happiness is achieved through the course of your whole lifetime as you collect assets like knowledge, health and friends. Life is not momentary. It is not current. It is a journey. A journey of personal victories, happiness and seeing the world.
The Ancient Greeks were extremely wise and full of knowledge – it almost seems like a super power. I find myself wondering how, exactly, they knew what they knew so early. To show you exactly the extent of articulation and prudence, here are some of the most astute and intelligent quotes I have ever read from Ancient Greece:
‘We are what we repeatedly do. Excellence, then, is not an act, but a habit.’ -Aristotle
‘For a man to conquer himself is the first and noblest of all victories.’ -Plato
‘No man ever steps in the same river twice, for it’s not the same river and he’s not the same man.’ -Heraclitus
‘It is not what happens to you, but how you react to it that matters.’ -Epictetus
‘There are two things a person should never be angry at, what they can help and what they cannot.’ -Plato
‘Life is short, the art long.’ -Hippocrates
These are only a few of the quotes I have fallen in love with. It is fascinating how words spoken thousands of years ago have travelled so far, maturing in their meaning. Roughly 2500 years it has been and they still continue to have such an impact on people’s lives today. Exceptionally prodigious.
Of course, life is also the creator of change – something often out of our control. Recently, I switched from public school to home school – a huge change, scholastically – but I know it is in my best interest, personally. If you can help change, make sure the change is not damaging to you. And if you can’t help whatever change you may be going through, learn to accept it and adapt to it. Know that it is a mere stepping stone in your life; one day in the thousands you will experience. Our lives are constantly in a state of change. Every day you wake up, you will not be the same person you were yesterday. As Heraclitus once said, ‘there is nothing permanent except change,’ and he is right. If you’re going through a change you haven’t accepted yet – perhaps moving house or moving schools or something that strays away from your personal normality – just know that everything happens for a reason. You have power over yourself and what you choose to do, but that is where the power stops. Everything else is in the hands of fate, so learn to accept it and be content with the fact that you don’t have to worry about it as it is out of your hands. Heraclitus also said that ‘everything flows and nothing abides, everything gives way and nothing stays fixed’ – powerful in meaning and in every interpretation possible.
Obviously the meaning of life cannot be captured in one era of philosophers, even if they are the wisest and most rigorous contemplators. So, with that in mind, here is a picture of the meaning of life according to different schools of philosophy.
To reiterate, the meaning of life is different for us all. It’s what you make of it, how you spend it, how you treat others and what makes you happiest. Succumb to change and accept it for what it is to maintain your happiness in its most prominent form. Do what fills your soul with joy.
XOXO, always,
Lola
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