“So someone’s good at taking down an opponent, but that doesn’t make them more community-minded, or modest, or well-prepared for any circumstance, or more tolerant of the faults of others.”
MARCUS AURELIUS, MEDITATIONS, 7.52
Is it possible to both win and lose at the same time?
The person who vanquishes all challengers, out-maneuvers the competition, bests all opponents… are they better where it counts — on the inside?
Our culture places a premium on winning, as though it’s all that matters. Winning at all costs, winning at the expense of others, winning at the expense of your own soul. We glorify “the hustle” on the road to success, like achieving our worldly objectives is the most important thing in life.
Those are external pursuits, however, done for external reasons and generally to impress others. What about internal pursuits? What about strengthening our soul in the face of adversity — which will certainly come but is never announced in advance? What about improving our behavior and our actions so that we’re always seeking the higher good?
Author Ryan Holiday makes a really good point in today’s entry in The Daily Stoic: “Let’s not confuse getting better at stuff with being a better person.”
Which one do you want to spend your time on? Which one truly matters?
I know where I stand. I don’t care if I can [whatever] better than everyone else. The real question is: can I adjust my outlook when needed (and not in comparison to anyone else)? Can I be more patient, more helpful, more loving to others? Can I fill my thoughts with virtue instead of baser goals of greed and envy?
Still hustling! But for the right reasons now 🙂
