Idolatry

Daily Meditation #129 – 7/1/2022

That’s…that’s not what I meant and you know it!

Our fathers and mothers.
Teachers.
Politicians.
Historical figures.

We are so enamored by those who we perceive to be everything we strive to be.

There isn’t anything inherently wrong with a desire to be better, let me be clear.

But, when we blindly allow ourselves to idolize or “hero-ize” these men and women without also examining their faults, we deceive ourselves.
We evade seeking balance when we think and act this way, and in this manner we make ourselves in their (incorrect) image.

Instead of aiming to rise to the level of Teddy Roosevelt (my favorite), or Elon Musk, or your parents, or RBG, turn inwards and seek your own, personal, shortcomings.

“I am timid.” Then find someone who became strong and extroverted and study that one facet.

“I am bad at attracting partners.” Then find someone who became seductive and attractive and study that one facet.

“I am poor at focusing.” Then find someone who became a master of a craft and study that one facet.

Seek balance of the self by identifying individual and small flaws and then learning from the bounties of history.

Who do you idolize? What were their greatest shortcomings?

Follow for daily philosophical meditations.

These are distillations from my coming book “YouDaimonia: the Ancient Philosophy of Human Flourishing.”