Time Doesn’t Make Everything Better...It Just Makes Them What They Are
The Daily Stoic25 Okt 2018

Time Doesn’t Make Everything Better...It Just Makes Them What They Are

When we get dumped or we fail or we lose someone, we often hear that “Time heals all wounds” or some such remark, all of it in consolation. Obviously this is meant well, but it’s also frustrating--if only because it’s trite...and way too simple.

As Rilke wrote, “Time does not ‘console’ as people say superficially; at best it puts things in their place and it creates order.” There is a Zen story about a man whose horse ran away. People said it was bad luck. Then the horse came back, which people thought was good luck, and then his son broke his leg while falling off it and people thought that was bad luck come round again. But because his leg was broken, the man’s son was saved from fighting and dying in a war, and the cycle went on and on.

Time doesn’t make things better or worse, it simply makes them what they are. That’s why the Stoics talk about not rushing to judgment about anything, about waiting and seeing. Because we don’t know. Just giving something time isn’t automatically going to make it better--but it does at least give things a chance to shake out, for us to see the full picture. If there is one aphorism about time that we CAN rely on, that the Stoics would agree with, it's that 'time will tell.'

That’s the moral of the Zen story too. Trying to label things as good luck or bad luck is shortsighted. It assumes that all the facts have been entered into evidence. It’s better to hold off on forming an opinion, because fate is constantly unfolding around us, and today’s bad luck may very well be setting up tomorrow’s good luck (and vice versa).

Time isn’t a panacea, but it is a form of truth. So watch for it. Time will, in fact, tell.


See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Episoder(2889)

Who Was The Tough One? | Role Models

Who Was The Tough One? | Role Models

There is no mention of what became of the Stoics' wives. We don’t talk about the slights and the condescension they would have put up with as the ‘weaker sex.’ 🎥 Watch “The Most Powerful Stoic Women ...

3 Jun 20257min

This Is How You Become Well-Read | Plato's View

This Is How You Become Well-Read | Plato's View

As Marcus would say, we can't be satisfied with merely "getting the gist" of what we read. "Read attentively," he advised. Read deeply. Aim for quality, not quantity.The Daily Stoic is $1.99 as an ebo...

2 Jun 202510min

When Everything Feels Unpredictable, Hold Onto This

When Everything Feels Unpredictable, Hold Onto This

In moments of chaos, let Stoicism be your guide. In today’s episode, Ryan dives into how to tackle both small and big obstacles by harnessing your inner strength, staying steady in the face of unpredi...

1 Jun 202528min

The Stoic’s Playbook For INSTANT Charisma | Vanessa Van Edwards (PT. 2)

The Stoic’s Playbook For INSTANT Charisma | Vanessa Van Edwards (PT. 2)

The Stoics knew something we often forget: influence starts before you speak. It's in your energy, your posture, your presence. In today’s PT. 2 episode with body language expert Vanessa Van Edwards, ...

31 Mai 202551min

It’s Not Something You’ve Done. It’s Something You’re Doing. | 9 Stoic Keys To Building Character That Lasts

It’s Not Something You’ve Done. It’s Something You’re Doing. | 9 Stoic Keys To Building Character That Lasts

The world is constantly changing. We are constantly changing. Therefore what we get out of these books changes, too. 📓 The Daily Stoic eBook is $1.99 on Amazon! Grab your copy here📔 Pick up your own...

30 Mai 202513min

No Amount of This Will Make You Not Small | Ask Daily Stoic

No Amount of This Will Make You Not Small | Ask Daily Stoic

It’s pathetic, isn’t it? What some people do with power—what it reveals about them.🎙️ Follow The Daily Stoic Podcast on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dailystoicpodcast🎥 Watch top moments from...

29 Mai 202517min

It Calls For Thee

It Calls For Thee

Think about the principles we are standing on. Think of what we are willing to risk for them.🏛 Preorder the Limited Edition Stoic Virtues Series: https://store.dailystoic.com/products/limited-edition...

28 Mai 20253min

The Stoic’s Playbook For INSTANT Charisma | Vanessa Van Edwards (PT. 1)

The Stoic’s Playbook For INSTANT Charisma | Vanessa Van Edwards (PT. 1)

The Stoics didn’t just preach wisdom, they commanded attention. They knew how to lead with presence, not just ideas. In this episode, body language expert Vanessa Van Edwards joins Ryan to break down ...

28 Mai 202541min

Populært innen Business og økonomi

stopp-verden
lydartikler-fra-aftenposten
dine-penger-pengeradet
rss-penger-polser-og-politikk
e24-podden
rss-borsmorgen-okonominyhetene
pengepodden-2
finansredaksjonen
utbytte
livet-pa-veien-med-jan-erik-larssen
rss-sunn-okonomi
pengesnakk
tid-er-penger-en-podcast-med-peter-warren
morgenkaffen-med-finansavisen
okonomiamatorene
stormkast-med-valebrokk-stordalen
lederpodden
liberal-halvtime
rss-markedspuls-2
lederskap-nhhs-podkast-om-ledelse