Six

While taking another oatmeal bath, I spent the time reading Epictetus, a Greek philosopher who lived during the first and scond centuries C.E. His best known book is called the Enchiridion, or Manual for Living.

Enchiridion

Epictetus was born a slave, but was permitted to study Stoic philosophy, the system of thought developed in the third century B.C.E. Stoicism rose from the confusion of the post-Alexander era, where Grecian culture mixed with so many others, and people felt ungrounded like today. Here's one of my favorite sections of the Enchiridion:

4. "When you are going about any action, remind yourself what nature the action is. If you are going to bathe, picture to yourself the things which usually happen in the bath: some people splash the water, some push, some use abusive language, and others steal. Thus you will more safely go about this action if you say to yourself, "I will now go bathe, and keep my own mind in a state conformable to nature." And in the same manner with regard to every other action. For thus, if any hindrance arises in bathing, you will have it ready to say, "It was not only to bathe that I desired, but to keep my mind in a state conformable to nature; and I will not keep it if I am bothered at things that happen." - Translated by Elizabeth Carter (1717-1806.)

So the next time you're at Walmart, say to yourself, "There will be slovenly-looking people, there will be customers moving slowly with their carts, there will be inept salespeople, there will be parking spots sandwiched between two SUV's where women will be trying to back out while trying yo keep their kids quiet."