Arnold Siegel on “Character is Destiny”

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By Arnold Siegel

“Character is Destiny,” is a quote attributed to the Greek philosopher, Heraclitus (535 BCE – 465 BCE). It implies that destiny, or fate, is not a predetermined outside force, but that one’s future or destiny, is determined by his or her own inner character.

Yet, while the character or substance of our autonomy is a crucial asset and its absence painfully felt, the need to acquire it is often overlooked. If our goals for a personally rewarding life remain out of reach, it is to this character we should look. The good news: even if nothing else about life is equal, we do have a fair shot at acquiring character. The destiny you envision for yourself remains a possibility—something you can shape and control—and transcendence is your means. 

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Is Moodiness Unavoidable?

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By Arnold Siegel

This post by Arnold Siegel is adapted from his piece “Feeling Moody Again?” on autonomyandlife.com.

Do you ever feel moody?

This is not much of a question. Everyone experiences moodiness from time to time. We are conditioned to expect moodiness, to take it as a non-negotiable outcome of our lived experience in an unpredictable, unstable world.

Of course, humans are adept at rationalizing the moody blues. We may see moodiness as a gateway to profundity. Or a convenient explanation for romantic anger. Or a sign of emotional depth and alluring mystery. Or a natural, even inevitable, response to the injustices of an imperfect world.

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What is Discovered When We’re Looking to Know Ourselves

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By Arnold Siegel

It’s interesting to discover when we’re looking to know ourselves—to know what makes us tick, so to speak—that we often find our “answers” when we look at ourselves as one among many. Yes, each of us is unique. Yet all of us are here. Set down. Made. What do I mean by “made?”

We all come into the world at the effect of the authority of the natural, historical and linguistic experimental design and ordering of the human condition. The design and ordering appeal to our desires; exploit our fears (with natural intimidation or with cultural or human-made criteria which generate sentiments such as shame, ridicule, embarrassment and pity); and attempt to motivate us to adapt to the environments in which we find ourselves and to compete successfully over the course of a lifetime.

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Arnold Siegel – Seven Instances of Self-Misdescription

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By Arnold Siegel

What follows are seven instances of self-misdescription. Think about them. Do any apply?

One: Do you have a tendency to “buy” your own press or believe your boasts? If so, are you unwittingly hiding from yourself pockets of ignorance and inexperience? If you’re “over-confident,” do you sometimes fail to evaluate the risks inherent in reality and, consequently, charge into situations wherein your actual resources are insufficient? Said another way, do you give yourself credit for holding a card that you do not actually hold and proceed as if you had intellectual, educated or social assets you don’t really possess?

Two: This one is complex. Does your oversized ego “posture.” Though it’s no saint, does it feign indignation, shock and disbelief at the conduct of others? Does it say, as if it’s a virtue, “I was naïve,” or “I like to see the world in black and white,” or “I had faith in him or her,” or “I thought I could trust him or her,” or “I think people in leadership positions should be perfect role models?”

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