Chapter 91
When Everything Burns Down
1.Our friend Liberalis[2] is now downcast; for he has just heard of the fire which has wiped out the colony of Lyons. Such a calamity might upset anyone at all, not to speak of a man who dearly loves his country. But this incident has served to make him inquire about the strength of his own character, which he has trained, I suppose, just to meet situations that he thought might cause him fear. I do not wonder, however, that he was free from apprehension touching an evil so unexpected and practically unheard of as this, since it is…
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Critical Thinking Exercise
Build Your Backup Plan
Choose one area of your life where you feel most secure right now - your job, living situation, health, or relationships. Practice Seneca's negative visualization by imagining this stability disappeared overnight. Create a concrete backup plan for how you would navigate this scenario, focusing on practical steps rather than worry.
Consider:
- •What resources or skills do you already have that could help you rebuild?
- •Which relationships or support systems would remain even if this area collapsed?
- •What small actions could you take now to build resilience before you need it?
Journaling Prompt
Write about a time when something you thought was permanent suddenly changed. How did you adapt, and what did that experience teach you about building antifragility?
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