Bloganuary 2: What is a road trip you would love to take? The Road Trip to Eudaemonia

The road trip I would like to take is the road to Eudaemonia. Eudaemonia is not a physical place, but a way of being. Eudaemonia is a Stoic terminology which means a life worth living: a happy and fulfilled life.

Not very long ago, I have been exposed to the philosophy of Stoicism. Stoicism helps me cope with stress and anxiety, by putting things into perspective. This school of thought allows us to distinguish different aspects of our lives that are within our control and those that are not, which is also being referred to as the dichotomy of control.

Our modern society has taught us that the most important things in our lives are success, wealth, power, and fame. We have been made to believe that these pursuing these worldly things are meaningful pursuits and that they will make us happy. If that is the case, why are there still so many successful, wealthy, powerful and famous people who are so unhappy and fulfilled.

Stoic philosophy holds that to achieve the state of Eudaemonia, one must live a virtuous life based on wisdom, courage, justice, and temperance, which I will delve into in a different post.

But for now, this is how I understood it: our lives are more fulfilled and therefore we will have a happier life if we focus on what is more important in our lives. For instance, success and money should not be our main goal. They are just welcomed side effects of doing what we love. And whatever you do, put your heart into it.

It does not really matter if you are a CEO or a simple employee, a professional artist or an amateur, have white-collar or blue-collar jobs. Whatever it is you are doing, be better at it. That is the road to Eudaemonia.