Outlook: The More Things Change, the More They Stay the Same

[DISCLAIMER]

Between my fifth and seventh grade years, my dad focused on teaching me tenets of the Jehovah’s Witnesses faith. Primarily, he taught lessons from a Bible textbook entitled The Truth That Leads to Eternal Life, which is colloquially known as the “blue book.”

As well, he offered his own perspective on verses from the King James Version of the Bible. For instance, I learned of Ecclesiastes 1:9, “The thing that hath been, it is that which shall be; and that which is done is that which shall be done: and there is no new thing under the sun.”

Later in life, I heard the quote attributed to French critic, journalist, and novelist Jean-Baptiste Alphonse Karr, “plus ça change, plus c’st la même chose,” which is usually translated as “the more things change, the more they stay the same”. Alas, there’s nothing new under the sun.

Photo credit, photographer: Antoine Samuel Adam-Salomon, fair use

Beliefs by some people about ancient knowledge, wisdom, and understanding may result in frustration, annoyance, or disappointment, as inflexible demands about novel approaches to life either conditionally must exist, or there’s no point in living in a manner that’s already been lived.

However, this irrational either-or paradigm has likely played out since fallible human beings have been able to think critically. More’s the pity, such beliefs aren’t likely to subside any time soon. Now, when contemplating this matter, I think of a book that I’ve been steadily reading.

As Rational Emotive Behavior Therapy (REBT) is informed by Stoic philosophy, this blog entry is part of an ongoing series regarding a book entitled The Daily Stoic: 366 Meditations on Wisdom, Perseverance, and the Art of Living by Ryan Holiday and Stephen Hanselman.

If it’s true that “the more things change, the more they stay the same,” then I wonder about what may be learned from ancient Stoics who faced similar circumstances during their time when alive. As an example, authors of The Daily Stoic quote Marcus Aurelius, who stated (page 341):

“Think by way of example on the times of Vespasian, and you’ll see all these things: marrying, raising children, falling ill, dying, wars, holiday feasts, commerce, farming, flattering, pretending, suspecting, scheming, praying that others die, grumbling over one’s lot, falling in love, amassing fortunes, lusting after office and power. Now that life of theirs is dead and gone . . . the times of Trajan, again the same . . .”

Simply because I currently exist in modernity (the quality or state of being or appearing to be modern) doesn’t mean that people from the past didn’t experience similar situations as I. Regarding a comparable perspective, authors of The Daily Stoic state (page 341):

Ernest Hemingway opens his book The Sun Also Rises with a Bible verse: “One generation passeth, and another generation cometh; but the earth abideth forever. The sun also riseth, and the sun goeth down, and resteth to the place where he arose.” [Ecclesiastes 1:4-5] It was this passage, his editor would say, that “contained all the wisdom of the ancient world.”

Irrespective of whether or not you subscribe to religious teachings, there is wisdom (good sense) in the book of Ecclesiastes. A virtually countless number of people have come and gone, many of whom lived similar circumstances as you. Of this view, the authors continue (page 341):

And what wisdom is that? One of the most striking things about history is just how long human beings have been doing what they do. Though certain attitudes and practices have come and gone, what’s left are people—living, dying, loving, fighting, crying, laughing.

I’m wise enough to know how little I actually know. After all, so many before me, currently, and who will succeed me have, are, and will experience life in much the same way as I. Yet, how many of us have thought that we’ve known it all? Of my worldview, the authors state (page 341):

Breathless media reports or popular books often perpetuate the belief that we’ve reached the apex of humanity, or that this time, things really are different. The irony is that people have believed that for centuries.

I realize how little I know when drafting blogposts. Though ancient Stoics didn’t have access to the Internet, they likely devoted significant thought to word placement regarding their writings, as they truly didn’t know everything. Do you? In conclusion, the authors state (page 341):

Strong people resist this notion. They know that with a few exceptions, things are the same as they’ve always been and always will be. You’re just like the people who came before you, and you’re but a brief stopover until the people just like you who will come after. The earth abides forever, but we will come and go.

Herein, I’ve used the terms “perspective,” “view,” and “worldview,” which are essentially synonymous with the word outlook (a place offering a view, a view from a particular place, the act of looking out, or the prospect for the future). In one way, an outlook is akin to a belief.

For example, I assert that “the more things change, the more they stay the same.” You may then use the inflexibly conditional belief, “Either Deric admits that modern advancements in technology have separated people from our past, or nothing he has to say is worthwhile!”

I suspect people in ancient times shared a similar outlook about the (then) present, regarding the (then) future, as there’s apparently nothing new under the sun. Therefore, I invite you to consider a more flexible outlook. Besides, the time that you and I have left alive will pass relatively soon.

Why not use a wise approach to rational living before then? Of course, the choice is yours. You may reluctantly go to the grave, kicking and screaming about how your conditional demands didn’t come to fruition, as you’ll die just as people always have and likely forever will.

If you’re looking for a provider who tries to work to help understand how thinking impacts physical, mental, emotional, and behavioral elements of your life—helping you to sharpen your critical thinking skills, I invite you to reach out today by using the contact widget on my website.

As a psychotherapist, I’m pleased to try to help people with an assortment of issues ranging from anger (hostility, rage, and aggression) to relational issues, adjustment matters, trauma experience, justice involvement, attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder, anxiety and depression, and other mood or personality-related matters.

At Hollings Therapy, LLC, serving all of Texas, I aim to treat clients with dignity and respect while offering a multi-lensed approach to the practice of psychotherapy and life coaching. My mission includes: Prioritizing the cognitive and emotive needs of clients, an overall reduction in client suffering, and supporting sustainable growth for the clients I serve. Rather than simply trying to help you to feel better, I want to try to help you get better!

Deric Hollings, LPC, LCSW

References:

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