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Hello everyone, Justin Vacula here with another video in my Stoic Philosophy series titled Stoic

Philosophy: Gratitude. You can find me on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and my website at
justinvacula.com. Links are in the video description.

My Stoic Philosophy video series explores the philosophical tradition of Stoicism with goals to inform,
empower, and help others benefit from the practical wisdom of Ancient Greek, Roman, and modern
thinkers. I tackle many topics including handling adversity, finding meaning in life, working toward
contentment, dealing with change, anger, and gratitude.

This video is a compilation of my notes from a March 2017 Stoic Philosophy discussion group I hosted
in Willow Grove, Pennsylvania with the Humanist Association of Greater Philadelphia. This audio clip
has been edited for improved quality and I've also added slides rather than using a unedited webcam
recording I used in previous videos. Your feedback on this format is welcome.

Let's get started now on the topic of gratitude.

What is gratitude? The Stanford Encyclopedia of Philosophy explains, “Gratitude is the proper or
called-for response in a beneficiary to benefits or beneficence from a benefactor.” In other words,
someone is appreciative for some benefit. Appreciation or gladness, the article explains, are related
concepts. Robert Emmons, Professor of Psychology at UC Davis who is known as the world's leading
expert on gratitude writes, “First, it's an affirmation of goodness. We affirm that there are good things
in the world, gifts and benefits we've received.” What do you think of when hearing the term gratitude?

Marcus Aurelius begins his meditations by listing people he has known and values he has learned
through his life. He writes, “From my grandfather Verus I learned good morals and the government of
my temper. From the reputation and remembrance of my father, modesty, and manly character. From
my mother, piety and beneficence, and abstinence, not only from evil deeds, but even from evil
thoughts; and further, simplicity in my way of living, far removed from the habits of the rich” and
continues for about six more pages in my text.

Perhaps we can be grateful for positive experiences that we have had throughout life: people who had
something to offer us in one way or another, even if we learn who or what to avoid or build character in
dealing with difficult circumstances. Surely not all experiences throughout our lives will be joyous as
Stoic writers remind us, but we can draw upon and build resilience – even though this can be difficult --
to have an appropriate mindset to deal with hardship – and be grateful for that.

Marcus Aurelius frequently touches on the fact that life is fragile, that change is inevitable, and death is
part of the change which happens to us and around us. Perhaps we can be grateful for the fact that we're
experiencing life at the moment and value the short amount of time we have – what seems to be quite
an improbable chain of events which allows us to exist. Rather than behaving randomly, being driven
by impulses, and lacking purpose, Aurelius encourages us to be self-reflective and live a good, fulfilled
life. He writes, “Since it is possible that you might depart from this life this very moment, regulate
every act and thought accordingly.” Another passage touches on change, “How quickly all things
disappear: in the universe the bodies themselves, but in time the memory of them; what is the nature of
all sensible things, and particularly those that attract with the bait of pleasure or terrify by pain, or are
noised abroad with vapory fame.” Finally, “In human life time is but an instant, and the substance of it
a flux, and the perception dull, and the composition of the whole body subject to putrefication...life is a
warfare and a stranger's sojourn.” Perhaps this perspective of life and its fragility can help you be more
grateful for the present moment and give you a sense of appreciation?”
In displaying resilience, remaining strong in the face of challenge, we can maintain gratitude and good
character. Aurelius writes, “Be like the promontory against which the waves continually break, but it
stands firm and tames the fury of the water around it. Unhappy am I because this has happened to me.-
Not so, but happy am I, though this has happened to me, because I continue free from pain, neither
crushed by the present nor fearing the future. For such a thing as this might have happened to every
man; but every man would not have continued free from pain on such an occasion. […] Will then this
which has happened prevent you from being just, magnanimous, temperate, prudent, secure against
inconsiderate opinions and falsehood; will it prevent you from having modesty, freedom, and
everything else?”

Perhaps it can be easy to lack a sense of gratitude and instead focus on our shortcomings while having
a negative attitude. Marcus Aurelius, though, shares that we will experience setbacks, can fall short of
personal expectations, but can work hard to improve and give a good effort toward reaching our goals.
We shouldn't merely complain, on Aurelius' view, but rather work to change things and have a realistic
mindset about what we can achieve recognizing that we have certain limits and are liable to fall short.
He writes, “Do not be disgusted, discouraged, or dissatisfied, if you do not succeed in doing everything
according to right principles; but when you have failed, return back again, and be content if the greater
part of what you do is consistent with man's nature, and love this to which you return.” He also writes,
“To seek what is impossible is madness” and “Revere which is the best in yourself” seemingly
encouraging us to know our own strengths and apply ourselves accordingly.

A sense of gratitude can be cultivated through self-reflection, looking back at points in our life in
addition to focusing on the present moment. We can wonder about what kind of life we want to live and
act in a way such that we make good use of the time granted to us. This passage can be most
appropriate to the end of our lives or older age, but thinking about the future can help us improve
ourselves now. Aurelius writes, “call to recollection both how many things you hast passed through,
and how many things you have been able to endure: and that the history of thy life is now complete and
your service has ended: and how many beautiful things you have seen: and how many pleasures and
pains you hast despised; and how many things called honorable you have spurned; and to how
many ill-minded folks you have shown a kind disposition.

Now let's look to Epictetus' Discourses for more passages relating to gratitude. We have have a sense of
gratitude in contentment. Rather than wanting more and more; complaining; comparing ourselves to
others and aspiring to change things outside of our control, we can be more tranquil and curb desires,
making due with our present situation and things we have no control over. Epictetus writes, “How then
shall one preserve constancy and tranquility of mind and at the same time the due care that saves us
from hasty and thoughtless action? By imitating those who play at dice. The counters are indifferent,
the dice are indifferent. How do I know what is going to fall? To use whatever does fall with proper
care and skill, that is my business.” This is a common theme throughout Stoic thought, that we must
adapt to circumstances and should make our best effort to bear them with grace. We can have a sense of
gratitude in overcoming challenge, being grateful that we can endure.

We can work to enrich our lives and the lives of others by living well and being appreciative of
opportunities we have to take action, to seek no reward for good acts, but rather to do good for
goodness' sake. Epictetus writes, “Do you not know that a know that a wise and good man never acts
for the sake of appearance, but only for the sake of having acted well? Why, do you seek a further
reward for a good man that is greater than doing what is admirable and right? And yet at Olympia
nobody wants anything additional, but you think it enough to have won an Olympic crown. Does it
appear to you so small and worthless a thing to be good, noble, and happy?”

Thanks for watching and stay tuned for more content.

You can find me on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and my website at justinvacula.com. Links are in the
video description. Please subscribe, share, comment, and like the video if you find my contribution
worthwhile.

Watch earlier videos on this channel in which I explore perspectives within Stoic Philosophy that can
help improve your quality of life. Consider donating if you support my work and would like to see
more for this takes time and effort to produce content. I seek to have more scripted videos like this one
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YouTube content although my time can be quite limited given other obligations. Have a good day.

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