Over the last few years, I have embraced Buddhism and Stoicism. Both philosophies preach acceptance of the present moment, non-judgement and love, and exercising control over your response to stimuli. They are excellent defensive philosophies and regular practice has brought me peace and equanimity.
Now I am realizing that these are philosophies are essential, but not sufficient. They don't give me a forward direction - an answer to "what should I do every day". Lacking a direction and simply going with the flow makes life dull and may lead to regrets. So I have been converging on this new directional philosophy to supplement these defensive philosophies.
Life is an improv - every day and every moment, you are creating and acting new scenes in your life.
You get to act solo, or with other people, with different sets, and many props. While there may be no grand meaning or purpose to this show, they mean everything to you as they make up everything that you call your life.
So your directional philosophy is essentially the answer to this question: What kind of scenes would you like to create or experience in your improv?
Which scenes?
You get to decide what's a good or bad scene for yourself. Personally, I'd prefer as many great moments and scenes that I'll enjoy and cherish. I enjoy scenes where I'm having a good time and laughing with loved ones, feeling present and intentional, feeling energetic and healthy, exploring and trying new things, doing helpful and challenging things.
I dislike scenes where I feel unhealthy or sick, feel stressed, judged or disliked, lack integrity, or where I am doing boring/thoughtless things or hurting others' scenes.
Not all scenes have to be great! That seems like an exhausting and unrealistic aspiration. I expect that there will be frequent good scenes and fewer great scenes. I expect that I'll have many routine and boring scenes, where I do my chores or relax. I expect tough scenes where I'm setting up the stage and preparing for a great scene. Bad and disappointing scenes are inevitable.
I dislike scenes where I feel unhealthy or sick, feel stressed, judged or disliked, lack integrity, or where I am doing boring/thoughtless things or hurting others' scenes.
Not all scenes have to be great! That seems like an exhausting and unrealistic aspiration. I expect that there will be frequent good scenes and fewer great scenes. I expect that I'll have many routine and boring scenes, where I do my chores or relax. I expect tough scenes where I'm setting up the stage and preparing for a great scene. Bad and disappointing scenes are inevitable.
I just want to do what I can every day to maximize the quality of scenes or number of great scenes. I want to do this without losing my peace, getting too stressed about it or ruining my current scene.
Putting it to practice
When making decisions, choose the exciting option that has more potential for great scenes. We are easily lured into side games like making money, becoming "successful", powerful or popular. They may lead to great scenes, but not always and not beyond a certain point.
Keep track of scenes that you enjoy or would like to try! Keep track of what attitudes, practices, and choices lead to good scenes. This gives you something tangible to try and aspire for. Prioritize them and work towards them - if you aren't creating or acting in scenes you want, what else are you doing in this theatre?
Start every day asking yourself what great scenes your are going to create today and work towards. Great scenes need intent and deliberate effort.
Note: A friend pointed out that this philosophy is similar to optimistic nihilism,
Keep track of scenes that you enjoy or would like to try! Keep track of what attitudes, practices, and choices lead to good scenes. This gives you something tangible to try and aspire for. Prioritize them and work towards them - if you aren't creating or acting in scenes you want, what else are you doing in this theatre?
Start every day asking yourself what great scenes your are going to create today and work towards. Great scenes need intent and deliberate effort.
Note: A friend pointed out that this philosophy is similar to optimistic nihilism,