Amor Fati - Love Everything that happens

Amor Fati translates to “A Love Of Fate".  This is the stoic practice of loving everything that happens.

This is one of the toughest stoic principle to adopt.  I personally struggle with this one daily — However I am very proud of how far I have come with this.  Lets dive in.

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“Seek not for events to happen as you wish but rather wish for events to happen as they do and your life will go smoothly.” 
~Epictetus

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The above quote by Epictetus sums up Amor Fati nicely. It reminds me of being grateful for everything without judgement.  It is not an easy concept to grasp and it is even harder to practice.  I am proud to say “while I have a long way to go, I have also come a long way with this principle". 

The Stoics looked at it this way, when something happens that we wish had not, is it easier to change our own opinion and perspective or is it easier to change the event itself?  

The answer should be obvious.  The event lies in the past and our opinion is in the present.  So the real choice is to fight or accept what happened. Stoicism calls this the “art of acquiescence” – to accept rather than fight every little thing.

In his book The Daily Stoic, Ryan Holiday puts it this way:
“And the most practiced Stoics take it a step further.  Instead of simply accepting what happens, they urge us to actually enjoy what happens, whatever it is.

Many Centuries later Nietzsche coined the perfect expression to explain this concept: Amor Fati ( A Love Of Fate).  Again, it is not only accepting, it is loving everything that happens.

If you’ve been following the series, you remember “focus on what you can control, Accept what you can’t” 
My coach and mentor James Arthur Ray taught me two valuable lessons lately. 

1. What you fight you become 
2. What you resist persists

Fighting fate is a losing battle.  When you choose not to fight there is nothing that can derail you.

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The DOg Leashed to a cart

The Stoics used this "The dog leashed to a cart" metaphor to make it more clear, 

Imagine a dog leashed to a moving cart. The leash is long enough that the dog has two options:

1. either he can smoothly follow the direction of the cart, over which he has no control, and at the same time enjoy the ride and explore the surroundings,
   
2. or he can stubbornly resist the cart with all his force and end up being dragged for the rest of the trip anyway.

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We are that dog. Either we make the best of the trip or we fight against every little decision the cart driver makes. One way is effortless and joyful, the other is exhausting and miserable. You choose.

Turbulent Times

Let put this into context for todays world.  Covid-19 has brought a lot of unwanted life circumstances.  HOW ARE YOU DOING?  Are you resisting or embracing?  Are you allowing the ever changing world (cart) to drag you (dog) in full resistance mode?  Or are you letting some slack in your leash, keeping up and doing your best to enjoy the journey?

I’ll be honest (there no benefit in lying to ourselves or denying the truth) I still struggle with this in and off — But with the proper coaching and mentorship I am gaining the tools necessary to adapt and enjoy as opposed to resist and fight.
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If you are ready to take your personal growth to the next level consider the “Redemption Experience” Hosted by my coach James Arthur Ray.  

I’ll be attending and arming myself with the mindset, flexibility, adaptability and emotional intelligence to reconnect with myself and thrive in what ever chapter our amazing planet encounters next. 

The world is changing with or without you —  Are you ready to THRIVE and change your reality?

Learn more and reserve your seat using the link below — http://www.mikecalderwood.me/blog/redemption-experience

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