Fate Permitting ⏳ the stoic reserve clause.

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I. The Reserve Clause.

A Thursday Three on a Saturday? I guess this makes it a Solo Saturday 🤔

Sometimes, despite our best efforts, our outcomes are not entirely under our control. Each week I intend to share my Thursday Three, but unfortunately, life gets a vote, too. In this case, my oldest was sick and got sent home from school, so work was cancelled, and I had to go daddy daycare mode. Initially, I had hoped to write the TT later that evening, once the kids were asleep.

Yeah, that was a tad amboubous. Any chance of me producing anything worth reading had long faded by then. So, should I stubbornly stick to my plan and force myself to write something, or should I accept fate and move on?

Sticking to your plan no matter what may seem admirable, to "grind it out," and sometimes that's necessary. However, it comes with a cost, both mentally and physically. You've got to your pick battles. So, I decided to roll with the punches and send it out today instead.

The Stoics have a concept for these very moments called the "reserve clause." It serves as a reminder that our actions may not always unfold as expected. Despite our best efforts, the outcome is, to some extent, subject to fate.

A common way to use the reserve clause is to add the phrase "fate permitting."

For example: "Each week, I will send my Thursday Three, fate permitting."

This small addition helps soften the blow of disappointment when things go wrong, as they inevitably will. It's a reminder that fate always gets a vote.

Playing devil's advocate here, it's not a get-out-of-jail-free card. You still have to put in the effort and do your best. But when life goes against you, it's also okay to accept the setback, learn from it, and come back to fight another day.

Enjoy the rest of your weekend, and I will catch you again on Thursday, fate permitting.

P.S Need Vs Wants Part II coming next week.

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P.S. If you enjoyed this week's Thursday Three, share it with a friend.

Thanks,

Jamie