I'm happy to announce the news about my new short film "FROM FEAR TO FREEDOM...Through Greek Philosophy" Premiers on Sept 18th during 5th World Wellness Weekend: What's it about ?
You will find yourself on the mythical island of "Eudaimonia" for healing and relaxation...
A virtual paradise with many secret gifts for you to help you to overcome your deepest fears and realize your greatest dreams.

In today’s meditation, we will reflect on the Greek philosophy practice, (especially the Stoic School ) of envisioning all the things that can go wrong, which the Romans later called "Premeditatio Mallorum". Why should we practice this? A) To be better prepared B) To feel more grateful for all the things that are going well in our life.​

Modern Stoics advise practicing negative visualization daily at a set time, such as early in the morning or late at night. 

In the Meditations of Marcus Aurelius Book II.I, the author recommends to himself that he performs the following negative visualization in the early morning:

"In the morning say to thyself, This day I shall have to do with an idle curious man, with an unthankful man, a railer, a crafty, false, or an envious man; an unsociable uncharitable man. All these ill qualities have happened unto them, through ignorance of that which is truly good and truly bad.
But I that understand the nature of that which is good, that it only is to be desired, and of that which is bad, that it only is truly odious and shameful: who know moreover, that this transgressor, whosoever he be, is my kinsman, not by the same blood and seed, but by participation of the same reason, and of the same divine particle;
How can I either be hurt by any of those, since it is not in their power to make me incur anything that is truly reproachful? or angry, and ill affected towards him, who by nature is so near unto me? For we are all born to be fellow-workers, as the feet, the hands, and the eyelids; as the rows of the upper and under teeth: for such therefore to be in opposition, is against nature; and what is it to chafe at, and to be averse from, but to be in opposition?"[25]

In today’s meditation, we will reflect on the Greek Philosophy notion that the only secure source of happiness and freedom is your inner world. This is because everything outside of you can be taken away. Therefore, it is foolish to trust your happiness and wellbeing to that which is outside your control. Everything can be taken from you, at any moment, except one thing: the last of your freedoms—to choose your attitude in any given set of circumstances, to choose your own way. 

As Seneca, the Stoic philosopher wrote, “We have no grounds for self-admiration through our possessions as they have been loaned to us. We may use and enjoy them, but the one who has allotted His gift decides how long we are to be the tenants; Our duty is to keep ready the gifts we have been given for an indefinite time and to return theem when called upon, making no complaint…”

Let’s reflect on that :Do you truly own anything? Is it really within your control? For example your body, your money, your relationships…? Not really, because at any moment these can be taken away from you due to a change in your luck…

Another Stoic philosopher, Publilius Syrus taught that  “If you are to have a great kingdom, rule over yourself!” That’s what we will reflect on today. 

Real power can’t be taken away—not by the economy or by an election or by anything else. A weak person is dependent on the moods of the crowd, on the stock market or on the weather,  but a philosopher—a lover of wisdom focuses their happiness on their principles. 

Other people may hate you, they can be toxic towards you, they can send you away, they can make fun of you or even try to destroy your reputation, but no one can take away your principles. 

No one can stop you from ruling over yourself. It’s the best and the biggest and the strongest kingdom there is. Your true kingdom is within.

Think of everything outside of yourself, as borrowed... They are on loan from Nature, Fortune, God, or whatever you want – and you can only use these things temporarily, you are a caretaker.... Everything can be taken away in an instant. Without prior notice. Without asking. It’s just been taken away. Lost. Broken. Stolen. Burned. Died. Or killed….

So imagine all that you have as borrowed, your spouse, your lover, your children, your health, your car, your computer...These are really just on loan to you..At any point the lender may want these back. Just be grateful for all that you have received.