Philosophy Discussion Forums

This is a discussion forum topic for the November 2022 Philosophy Book of the Month, In It Together: The Beautiful Struggle Uniting Us All.



"The mind adapts and converts to its own purposes the obstacle to our acting. The impediment to action advances action. What stands in the way becomes the way."
- Marcus Aurelius

By quickly and unconditionally accepting unchangeable reality, we best make the best of it, turning seeming obstacles to our advantage.

Only by fully and unconditionally accepting the proverbial cards we are dealt (i.e. only by fully and unconditionally accepting that which cannot be changed) are we able to best play those cards.

By wasting even the smallest bit of time, energy, or resources resenting that which we know we cannot change, we thereby absolutely cannot play those proverbial cards the best we can, since our time, energy, and resources are all finite.

What's spent on one is taken from the other.



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Scott Only by fully and unconditionally accepting the proverbial cards we are dealt (i.e. only by fully and unconditionally accepting that which cannot be changed) are we able to best play those cards.

By wasting even the smallest bit of time, energy, or resources resenting that which we know we cannot change, we thereby absolutely cannot play those proverbial cards the best we can, since our time, energy, and resources are all finite.

YES. I feel as if this is my life's work ^^. Letting go, accepting what is, and realizing that everything (EVERYTHING) except for myself is out of my control. The world existed before I was here, and it will exist long after I'm gone. Assuming climate change doesn't destroy everything. Which is another thing to NOT worry about because it's mostly out of my control, haha.

I love this quote! It has a “Descartes” kind of ring to it. I sense a bit of “when life gives you lemons,” too.

I really love this quote. It’s thought-provoking and reminds us to evaluate things and scenarios that stand in our way.

In philosophy, there is no room for religion, but all rationalism always ends without a holistic comprehension of the universe. The role of a supreme being cannot be denied. "Only by fully and unconditionally accepting the proverbial cards we are dealt (i.e., only by fully and unconditionally accepting that which cannot be changed) are we able to best play those cards." I totally agree with this, but I also believe in miracles. That which we consider as cannot be changed can be a pointer to a direction that we will never consider on an ordinary day. Aurelius is a core "stoic." The mind is complex. But I feel Plato, in his theory of the tripartite nature of the soul, did a great job too.

This quote reminds me of another quote that I earlier shared, of someone asking God to give them the courage to change things the can, strength to accept those they cant and the wisdom to distinguish between the two. I have found this to be true in many areas of my life and it is especially true when it comes to financial decisions. When an emergency crops up, I'm often forced to adjust my budget to accommodate that emergency. Eventually, the diversion of funds will ultimately determine how the subsequent period will run until the next payday.

Isn’t there a saying, “if you can’t go around it, go through it”? That makes it become the way.

Wow! Our energy and resources and finite, indeed. We think we it all that can enable us to ask this and that questions instead of trying to live the lives we have right now. The same attitude people have about love. They treat it like it might come again if they gamble the one they have now. Let's play the cards we have now, in this moment!

Emphasis on "cannot be changed." If this is the proven fact and not other people's popular opinion, then every effort spent on "resentment" is a waste. But this is very different from perseverance, courage, stubbornness, and hard work. Then again, how can you tell a situation is entirely unchangeable if you don't push to try to change it? Or even leave room for a miracle.

The word "can't be amended" is stressed. If this is the established fact rather than just the broad consensus, then all "resentment" efforts are wasted. But this is entirely different from hard work, boldness and persistence.

To me, "what stands in the way becomes a way" implies that we can either allow obstacles to make or mar us. The best is to use them as stepping stones to greatness.

I think I understand this better, especially after reading the comments here. Sometimes we are faced with obstacles that impede our growth and we want to give up. However, is that the answer? I have experienced this in my place of work too, where I felt that certain changes would affect how things were. However, these changes became a way for me to grow even more because I played my cards well. I agree with the comment that emphasized the saying 'if you cannot go around it, go through it.'

Chris Alex Powell wrote: ↑March 5th, 2023, 11:02 am I think I understand this better, especially after reading the comments here. Sometimes we are faced with obstacles that impede our growth and we want to give up. However, is that the answer? I have experienced this in my place of work too, where I felt that certain changes would affect how things were. However, these changes became a way for me to grow even more because I played my cards well. I agree with the comment that emphasized the saying 'if you cannot go around it, go through it.'

The comments are definitely beneficial here. There is some very deep and heavy subjects in the book that can take some unravelling.

Okay, this is a view to life that I should work on since I always believed that what stands in the way should be removed and dealt with as fast as possible so we can continue on our way.

This topic reminds me of the saying: For every closed door a window opens.
This was one of my Grandfather's favorite sayings growing up and still rings true today.