Thoughts are like guests? Seriously?
Thoughts are like guests; we are not responsible for their first visit. But they will visit us more and more frequently if we encourage them to do so. Whatever it is you are thinking today, you will do tomorrow.
Leo Tolstoy – A Calendar of Wisdom, page 291, entry for 21 September
The book “A Calendar of Wisdom” is one of three books that are part of my early morning reading ritual. The other “everyday book” is “The Daily Stoic” by Ryan Holiday and Stephen Hanselman. Both these books are ideal for a daily reading habit as they are arranged with one page a day for a year. The third book varies, it is always a religious or spiritually uplifting book. Currently, I am reading a paragraph a day from “A Gospel Of Hope” by Walter Brueggemann, given to me by a good friend in 2018.
I prefer reading “real” books. Books that rest with a comforting weight in my hands. Books that let me flip through pages to quickly look back at highlighted words, and scribbled notes that I can often no longer read. For me, physical books make reading non-fiction much more rewarding than reading on a screen. I have to confess though, that I do have a Kindle which I use to catch up on lighter reading whenever I am waiting for appointments away from home. Lightweight portability of a selection of books is an advantage.
My parents were of a generation that treasured books. They would always inscribe books given as gifts with the date and often the place where the particular birthday or Christmas gift was given. Perhaps because of that, many years ago, I started writing the date I bought a book inside its front cover. I add my name too – it helps claim ownership of an unreturned book spotted in a friend’s library.
That lets me know that I have been reading The Daily Stoic each morning since December 2017 and Tolstoy since February 2020.
Even after almost five years of daily reading, Ryan Holiday’s explanations of the thoughts and philosophies of Marcus Aurelius, Epictetus, and other Stoic philosophers still inspire. At times, Tolstoy and some of his influencers are too liberal for my taste, but they make me think.
Thoughts As Unwanted Guests.
I don’t enjoy social media. However, it is important for marketing and a useful tool for gauging political and social currents. It seems it is both cause and effect for the huge polarization that has been growing for a while and has now been accelerated by the “pandemic”, Ukraine, breakdown in education and economic hardship.
It seems from some of the stridently promoted opinions that many peoples’ thoughts are more like unwanted guests. Ones that return without an invitation and refuse to leave.
Why should that be? I believe there are a number of reasons. Mistrust of governments, politicians, established churches, corporate leaders, mainstream media, NGOs and international organizations. The last three years have shown that governments around the world have abandoned any pretence of honoring constitutionally guaranteed safeguards for citizens.
Add inflation, the high cost of fuel, energy, the fear of shortages and concerns about escalating international conflicts. Is it any wonder that people are struggling to get rid of these unwanted thoughts.
Exercise, Reading and Meditation for Welcome Thoughts
Just as unwanted guests can be persuaded to leave with the right tactics, so can unwanted thoughts.
If you have read my story, you will know that I have had my share of adversity. I have had bad days when my head was as full of unwanted thoughts as a cave full of bats in a thunderstorm. However, most of the time I am more content than 30 years ago when I was earning many times what I am now. I am less stressed than when I employed 180 people on my farm in Zimbabwe.
Why?
Because I experienced the lessons that the Stoic philosophers explain in books like those mentioned above.
You can lose everything and survive.
It happened to me – twice. Now, the fear of losing everything holds no power over me. My cars, computers, books, furniture and clothes are nice to have but not essential.
Just as we keep the doors closed to keep out unwanted guests, I keep out unwanted thoughts. I do not watch satellite or broadcast TV, listen to the news or spend much time on social media. My day starts with a brisk 4.2km (2.5 mile) walk – before sunrise for half the year this far north. After breakfast, my morning reading, and meditation, I am good for a day’s work.
I read selected media to keep aware of the state of the country and the world, but I do not spend hours watching or listening to the same depressing drivel that passes for “news”.
Back to Books
I follow the writings of an author from one of my former homelands, South Africa.
Patricia Furstenburg is a prolific author, poet and blogger. She recently published a post about nine classic South African books.
She mentioned “Story of an African Farm” which I had read many years ago. I have a copy of the second edition published in June 1883 and given to me by an elderly relative. I wrote a comment to the post and sent her a photo of the book. You can read her post and comments here. Surprisingly, there are many versions of this book still available on Amazon, the link above is to one of the more affordable.
The Yakking Show
We are having great fun interviewing interesting guests for weekly episodes of The Yakking Show. Our first one-hour in-depth episode for Premium Members will be published in the first week of October 2022 with two episodes a month thereafter. There is a special offer for Founder Members and transcripts of these longer interviews will be available to purchase from our shop on the website.
Kathleen and I are frequently asked to help others start their own podcasts. We would like to help everybody that asks, but the demands on our time are too much. If you are serious about starting a podcast and want help, we can set up a Zoom call for a fee. Details for this and my own personal mentoring for overcoming adversity are available at the shop.
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