Aloha, PhiloSurfer!
According to a recent poll among my readers on LinkedIn, there are 2 types of people:
- Those who believe they mainly control everything in their lives.
- Those who think that fate, fortune, the universe (or whatever you want to call that external force beyond our reach) usually control them.
This fascinating dichotomy is closely connected to the Stoic philosophy of control that we’ve explored in previous issues. Just a quick reminder:
For every event:
- Either we can control and thus should take action.
- Or we can’t handle it and should accept it gracefully.
This week, our guest philosopher is none other than Niccolò Machiavelli, who beautifully captured these forces as:
- Virtue: That’s what’s in your hands. A skill we all need to train and develop to help us deal with:
- Fortune: The unpredictable, capricious goddess that makes our lives so non-linear.
As for the poll, this was the Q&A:
To what extent do you believe Fortune determines your actions?
- 100%
- 75%
- 50%
- 25% or less
In our poll, the top two answers were 25% or less and 50%. But one vote is missing, and it’s quite significant.
Our guest from Florence casts his vote at 50%, saying, “Nevertheless, not to extinguish our free will, I hold it to be true that Fortune is the arbiter of one-half of our actions, but that she still leaves us to direct the other half, or perhaps a little less.”
It’s a continuous battle: Virtue vs. Fortune.
Now, bring these abstract ideas to the beach and indulge in some barefoot philosophy.
- We can all agree that storms, swells, winds, reefs, and sand beds are beyond our control. Fortune dictates surf breaks and weather conditions or, if you’re in Hawaii, Kanaloa.
- But remember, your technique, style, equipment, board choice, and fitness level are all in your hands, representing Virtue.
You might recall our previous issue on “The 4 2s Method: Waves Aren’t Always Perfect.”
Well, Machiavelli encourages us to take it a step further.
Sometimes, Mrs. Fortune is on our team.
Last year, around this time, I surfed a record-breaking streak of 17 back-to-back days, totaling 35 surf sessions. It was an incredible run.
But, alas, Fortune is unpredictable.
This year, I’ve only had the chance to hit the waves 5 times. The Mediterranean resembles a serene Swiss lake rather than a lively sea.
A Swiss lake:
So, listen to Machiavelli’s wisdom.
Take advantage of the Good Times to prepare for the bad ones.
- Perfect conditions? Have a backup leash and keep wax handy.
- Financial abundance? Consider adding another board to your quiver.
- Some extra spare time? Prioritize equipment maintenance.
- New shores? Seek out new surf spots.
- A surf shop? Grab a spare set of fins.
That’s a hell of an empowering idea.
We always have agency in our hands. Using it wisely when the winds are in your favor makes a difference.
Don’t let life’s opportunities, like waves, slip away – especially during the smooth, glassy days.
So let’s embrace the Pomaika’i (Hawaiian for good fortune) that life brings us and ride the waves of positivity wherever they take us!
TL;DR
Never take good fortune for granted. If you’re experiencing it, prepare for the times that will be not so favorable.
Take care, and always ride the higher line!
See you next week,
