The ancient Greeks are probably still best known from school desks. Even then, they impressed us with their innovation, power, sense of construction and the whole way of life. But what they probably didn't tell us in schools is that, at least for the most part, Greeks knew how to live a peaceful and happy life.
Let's read some ancient Greek lessons on how to live in a conscious, joyful and peaceful way, which could also apply to our lives today.
1. Do everything with "agapi" (unconditional love).
Let's do what really makes us happy in life. Let's be authentic and strive to reach our true selves.
2. Accept and learn from your challenges.
Let's be present and open to new ideas and opportunities. Interpret every "no" as an opportunity that directs us in another, maybe even better direction. The biggest obstacle in our lives is ourselves.
3. Believe in yourself, listen to yourself and don't take what others say about you too seriously.
Nobody knows you better than yourself. In life, we will meet many people who will not agree with our ideas and visions, and many people will constantly want to dictate to us how we should live our own lives. We can only listen to such people without judgement, because we ourselves know best how to follow our heart.
4. Dream about what you want and not about what you don't want.
This lesson is best explained by the quote: “Do not spoil what you have by desiring what you have not; remember that what you now have was once among the things you only hoped for.” — Epicurus
5. Never give up.
Replace fear with faith. Humility, love and faith attract miracles. Everything will happen at the right time.
6. Always strive to think and feel positively.
"Think of good things", the ancient Greeks would preach. Let's forget the bad things and focus instead on the things we are grateful for.
7. Find answers and guidance within yourself.
Let us be aware of ourselves when we need guidance in the right direction, especially in difficult times. The ancient Greeks believed that within each of us there is something similar to God and that we can use ourselves as a kind of temple to honor the God within us.
8. Let's find courage within ourselves.
This is also important especially in difficult times, which fortunately do not last forever.
9. Follow your flow.
Fate has everything to do with it. "Fate leads him who follows it, and drags him who resists." — Plutarch
10. See your mistakes as experiences that will guide you to your dreams.
Forgive yourself and others because you will make many mistakes in this world. "To make no mistakes is not in the power of man; but from their errors and mistakes the wise and good learn wisdom for the future.” — Plutarch
Adapted and adapted from:
mindbodygreen.com
