Epictetus

I had a hard time choosing which chapter from "The Art of Living" that I liked most. I think almost every point made in the book is a very useful reference when it comes to the way we live our life. I suppose the one that has stayed with me since I read the book is "Consider What Comes First, Then What Follows, Then Act." The main point of this chapter is obviously for us to think things through before actually acting, but there were a few quotes that stuck out to me that I have begun applying to my life. "Unless we fully give ourselves to our endeavors we are hollow, superficial people and we never develop our natural gifts." I have the tendency to participate in lots of activities or projects and not fully give my time and my abilities to just one. I am very indecisive and wishy-washy, especially when it comes to what I want to pursue in my future. I try a lot of things out and then either give up or get disinterested. Epictetus makes the point that in order to become really great at something we have to make the decision to commit our body and mind to it completely, he says that, "a half-hearted spirit has no power." I find myself being nervous or unsure about alot of the decisions I make and usually when I feel this way, the outcome of the decision isn't favorable. Epictetus urges us to think things through thoroughly before commiting or acting because if we are unsure about it then we cannot fully give ourselves over to completing it. He states that "tentative efforts lead to tentative outcomes." I have been quoting this alot to myself lately and it reminds me to give my entire effort into making things work.