Action Points and Summary

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The following workout is related to the ancient Greek philosopher Epicurus.

Workout 1 comes from the Cave’s

Epicurus Workbook & Journal.

You can read about Epicurus and Epicureanism in the Cave’s

The Best of Epicurus: The Life, Writings & Teachings of Epicurus the Greek Philosopher.

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3 Action Points

• Contemplate the fact that you exist. “I exist.” Consider the truth that you have very little or “no power” over tomorrow—the next hour, day, week. Periodically review your relationship to “today” and “tomorrow.”

• Seize the day (carpe diem). Don’t put off what is truly essential about life until tomorrow (the future). Don’t put off happiness and the things that truly make for happiness.

• Practice joy. Smile. Say thanks. Be a friend. Laugh out loud. Breathe deeply. Feel the sun on your skin. Realize the goodness and beauty of being, of existence.

Human Existence – Seizing the Day & Practicing Joy

Workout Summary

Workout 1 centers on human existence—our own existence—and how we can better learn how to live and practice joy right now, today.

We begin by contemplating our own existence and noticing how such a contemplation makes us feel. What does it make us think or want to do?

We continue by contemplating the fact that the present moment is the only moment we can be sure of, that we “have no power over tomorrow.”

Next, we move on to a self-check. Are we living more for today or tomorrow? We then consider whether and to what extent it is necessary to live for tomorrow.

We finish by determining concrete, specific ways we can engage life today or “seize the day,” including ways we can practice joy.

To see Workout 1 in whole, click on the PDF, “Workout 1 – Human Existence – Seizing the Day & Practicing Joy.”

Best of benefits in practicing!

The Cave.