This is why I cook a meal for my family every night.

Another shout out to my friend A. for referring me to yet another excellent video by Alain de Boton. This time, I learned about Epicurus, a Greek philosopher. I have long been acquainted with the term “Epicurean” – defined as a person enjoying a rich, indulgent and luxurious lifestyle. This, in fact, is a bit of a misnomer. Although Epicurus did not see anything wrong with “enjoying” life, he wasn’t exactly a self-indulgent slug, either. His main premise is: What we want is not usually what we need. We look for happiness in material goods, wealth, etc. What we really need instead is three things: friends (especially eating meals together), freedom and self-reliance, and self reflection, or an “analyzed life.” Diogenes, a follower of Epicurus, built a wall around the market place, with Epicurus’ philosophy inscribed in the stones—a constant reminder or advertisement for happiness, so all the citizens could learn and be inspired by it. In a way, having a blog is a modern day version of the Diogenes wall—stating ideas and thoughts in hopes of encouraging discussion and learning from the ongoing dialogue.