Wednesday, June 2, 2021

The Obstacle Is the Way

We can all learn a thing or two from an ancient philosophy that hits home now more than ever

By Alexander Kuiper, Representative

There has been a recent resurgence in interest in a certain ancient Greek and Roman philosophy. Many people are finding strength and guidance in the ideas inherent in the school of thought called Stoicism.

Stoicism teaches that we should not allow problems or circumstances to drive our emotions to unhealthy places. It dictates that we should see obstacles in our lives as opportunities to show our worth and test our mettle, and to approach life with curiosity and hope, even during difficult periods or situations.

I have had an interest in the Stoics and their teachings since I was a teenager. In fact, I named my first rock band The Lost Stoics, an admitted misnomer considering we were anything but stoic.

As I’ve grown so has my interest in these ancient philosophers. One Stoic who I find particularly inspiring is Marcus Aurelius. Marcus was one of the “good Emperors” of Rome who helped make it a more civilized place.

But it wasn’t all positive. During Marcus’ reign, Rome found itself in the depths of a plague that lasted 12 years, and it likely took the Emperor’s life. (We can appreciate the modern comparison with COVID!)

His writings, published under the title Meditations, contains some pearls of wisdom that we don’t often echo in our culture today. We have become careful to shy away from what traditionally have been stoic ideals.

Stoicism can appear uncaring, forcefully pushing one to cope rather than seek out help. I don’t believe this to be a fair interpretation.

I think that solving your own problems and using your mind as a tool to turn problems into challenges is a healthy approach to life. Recognizing obstacles as challenges is in itself an empowering mental shift.

When one looks at the everyday problems surrounding us, whether they are global, national, or local, it can be overwhelming. However, breaking those problems down into bite-sized solutions allows the problem to be seen as a challenge, and not impossible.

Marcus once said, “The obstacle is the way.” In doing so, he asks us to reframe the things in our life that can lead us to spiral into a fit of anger, frustration, anxiety, and depression. These feelings are often a legitimate expression of the shortcomings of the institutions, colleagues, and leaders we depend on, and even ourselves.

It does not help to see these as ongoing problems. And if they are ongoing, it doesn’t help to give up on reframing the problem into a challenge, and the challenge into positive change.

Difficult situations and people certainly exist, but it is up to you to look within yourself and understand how to approach these matters in a strategic way that brings effective change.

We are social creatures. When we place our issues, our people, our workplaces, and our institutions within a category different from a “problem” or an “obstacle,” we can work to retain the love that we should have for one another and collectively solve our problems.

Does this mean that we should allow ourselves to be subject to abuse, or to allow poor ideas to exist? No. It means that it is our duty to change what we can and accept that which we can’t. This seems like good advice in the past, in the present, and for the future.

The Obstacle Is the Way

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