Rule #51 "Do Nothing"

We have just witnessed one of the most chaotic days in the history of our republic. It’s easy to get caught up in the moment and want to lash out, take action, call and rant-just do something. However, there is another option.

Do nothing. Sit. Ponder. Think. Process. Before yelling and ranting and screaming search on your own for answers. Ask yourself, “Is it true there’s nothing new under the sun? If so, where has this happened ? Where and when did it happen? What were the circumstances? What was the likeness to this?”

Allow yourself to look at history and the present as a large arching continuum. This will not only better prepare your mind to better deal with what’s happening and what might be ahead, but it will make you a better neighbor. When someone comes to you up in arms you can tell them what you’ve learned with calm and grace.

I don’t have all the answers. You don’t have all the answers. So maybe the best we can do right now is nothing until we are truly prepared to do something beneficial to all parties involved. Remember what Epictetus said, “… the more we value things outside our control, the less control we have.”