Two books for tough times
Times are... strange. And in strange times, there are few things more comforting than a good book.
And if that good book happens to be about dealing with strange times? Even better.
So here are my two favourite books about keeping your head when everything around you is going bat-shit bonkers.
1) How to Think Like a Roman Emperor – by Donald Robertson
The first book offers an incredibly interesting look at Stoicism through the life and philosophy of Marcus Aurelius.
In short, Stoicism is the idea that we can't control things that happen in the world, but also that these things can't control us.
Instead, we control how we think about things, and how we choose to interpret them – whether it's the scathing feedback a colleague left about us, a withering look we got from someone in a shop, or a global pandemic on a scale unprecedented in our lifetimes.
They only have power over us if we let them.
But there's another thing we can control. And it matters far more than anything else – more than wealth, fame, even our health.
We can control our own goodness.
We should do the right thing at all times. We shouldn't spend time worrying about things that are completely outside our power, and instead, we should focus on how we can be better. Because no amount of these external factors will ever outweigh being a good, wise, truthful version of ourselves.
"Waste no more time arguing about what a good man should be, just be one." - Marcus Aurelius
2) The Tao of Pooh – by Benjamin Hoff
This is a wonderful book that offers an introduction to Taoism through the lens of (and conversations with) Winnie-the-Pooh.
In short, this one's about finding harmony.
It's about accepting who you are. It's about realising what the world around you is. And it's about finding your place in that world.
You can work to improve things – you can help people, build things, and seek to make things better – but you can't artificially impose your will on the world.
It's about accepting the natural path, rather than trying to force an unnatural straight line.
And, best of all, this one has illustrations from E.H. Sheppard, which is always a complete delight.
Finding comfort in uncomfortable times
Times are strange. And there's almost nothing we can do about it. But...
We can be good – we can stay home, wash our hands, social distance etc.
We can find harmony – we can reflect on what truly matters to us, and learn to go with the flow.
But, most of all? We can find comfort in curling up with a good book.
What books help to get you through tricky times? Maybe a comforting story from your childhood, or a life philosophy that makes those times seem less tricky?
Throw your book into the comments.