100 days of Stoicism journal— Day 1
I was watching the first season of the anime series Attack on Titan the other day. And there was one scene where all graduate guards were fleeing and in mental pain, afraid for their lives as they’ve seen how the titans have easily captured and slaughtered/eaten many of their comrades. Even some of the group leaders were helpless.
But when a character called Mikasa, a graduate known for her intelligence and fearlessness, was informed of her best friend‘s death, she took it upon herself to jump right in the battle against those giants while the group stood still with their knees trembling.
Witnessing that small act of courageousness and what seemed to some as recklessness, created a sense of urgency in fighters to stand right back up with their shoulder straight, remember the oath they’ve given, and join the battle even if it means sacrificing their own life.
One other character, named Jean, stood out from the rest of the group. Inspired by Mikasa, he dove in battle head first, naturally leading everyone, giving them a fraction of hope.
After reaching their destination, they prepared for the second wave of Titans. While sitting down Jean was approached by his friend Marco, who told him something that is still stuck in mind after days of watching this particular episode.
“ You’re not a strong person, so you can really understand how weak people feel. I mean, most humans are weak, including me. But if i got an order from someone who saw things like I do, no matter how tough it was, I’d do my damndest to carry it out.”
That saying left a mark in me that I can’t easily shake off.
It tells you that being weak is a natural phenomenon and one has to embrace it. But what makes an impact on you is what you do when you’re weak. You identify your weakness, its reasons, and its motivations, you put a plan on how you would need to approach this weakness to accomplish your mission and take action.
It’s how you rise above when you’ve understood the state that you’re in. When fighting your demons, courage and wisdom play a great role.
This also reminds me of a point made by Swiss psychoanalyst and psychiatrist Carl Jung, that I will just leave here to perhaps explore later.
“No tree can grow to heaven unless its roots reach down to hell.”
