The art of being a stoic
I read quite a bit. Once in a while, there are quotes within a book that sticks. The above is one of many and I intend to pen down whenever I come across the same.
The quote is not from a book about arms or guns. Instead it’s an analogy quoted by Dr Michael Greger in his book titled How Not To Age.
He applied the analogy to advise us not to live a lifestyle and become ill when you have a high genetic propensity to be so. For example, if you are genetically susceptible to become diabetic, you have to be more wary of your sugar intake. Be self accountable to the way our body turns out to be and not be succumbed with our genetic inheritance. Hence, live your life in ways that do not allow your body (or genes) to manifest the disease. Hence, you may be given a loaded gun, but you don’t have to pull the trigger.
It’s not a contest of who can be the angrier person.
The advise is profound not only in health but it’s also very applicable to wider aspects of life. If you live amongst those who are cantankerous and has the propensity to take it out on you, it would be wise to choose your response carefully not to prolong the issue, at least until the situation is calmer. Otherwise, it will be a contest of who’s best at being angry. By then, the scene has become ugly.
Remain calm and be less flammable than your counterparts given whatever situation. A calmer demeanor has better chances of extracting a happier outcome.
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