Greetings,
So I have been studying a little Stoicism of late, actually I have been reading and learning about Stoicism quite a bit of late as it suits my method of thinking and I wanted to share a thought about one of Stoicism's philosophical tenets. I think that this will be of assistance to some, especially those who have chronic pain, or other chronic health issues, like fibromyalgia (FM) which is what much of this blog is about, my travels through life with FM. To explain how this philosophical tenet works I will be telling a story, my story.
In the far past days of my childhood, I had the urge to serve, I did not know this at the time, but when I look back at it this is what the urge was. My first choice of occupation was to join the military forces, my first choice for this was to join the army, go to the Australian Defence Force Academy, become an officer, lead men, and so forth. Of course, this dream was shattered when I found out that I would not pass the medical examination, I was a chronic asthmatic. So even if I was as fit and smart as the rest, No getting in there.
My second plan, once again was to serve. I wrote to my great-uncle who was an Deputy Commissioner in the Queensland Police Service whether there was a chance I could become a police officer, even being a chronic asthmatic. He wrote back to me telling me that I could but before I went for the medical, I would have to have two years completely clear of asthma. Well, that was not going to happen in a hurry, so I shelved that idea.
When we were asked in school what we wanted to be when we grew up, needless to say I had already had a good, long, think about where I was going, and my limitations. This boy wanted to be a fireman, that girl wanted to be a nurse, I decided that I wanted to be an historian. So, from them on any chance I got I would study history of what ever I could get my hands on.
The same pattern followed through my High School years, my eyes were firmly set on my goal. I had a look at other options on the way. I even dabbled a little with the idea of being a shot firer, the person who sets and detonates explosives at mines, but I was clearly going for my goal. Well, there were some stumbles, like failing my first attempt at university, and spending three-and-a-half years unemployed.
During that time of unemployment, with too high a skill level, and no qualifications, that I was put in an office traineeship. Seemed like an idea to tide me over until university places and funding was available. Then I developed pain in my fingers and wrists, to the point that I could not write or even make a sandwich. Here is where FM loomed its ugly head, of course it was misdiagnosed for about two-and-a-half years, meaning that I ended up on anti-inflammatories, which damaged the lining of my stomach, so now I cannot take them at all.
Eventually, I got a diagnosis from a specialist at the local hospital. End of the traineeship, not much good having an employee who has to take random days off because his body doesn't work. I applied for a disability pension. It was rejected and told that it would all clear up in six weeks (I wish). More job search without luck. Eventually I ended up going back to university to do the degree that would set me on the path to becoming an historian.
The Disability Support Officer at the university was great, she helped me manage my degree so I could handle the work. I was given extra time for my examinations, a laptop to type on rather than write. My lecturers were also really understanding, I was able to get extensions on my assignments when I needed them, and they understood my random absences. Only issues throughout the whole thing was dealing with the government to remain funded, and this happened almost every year.
So, you'd think a person with a degree is more easily able to find work, right? Nope. Now you are too over qualified, or under-qualified, you are sandwiched in between where you need to be. I spent a year or so being bounced around again, not finding suitable employment due to my FM. So, I went back to university to do Honours. Finished that, now I am technically qualified in my field. Of course, the offerings for historians are like hen's teeth, they do exist, just very rare.
During my last years of High School I had joined a medieval and Renaissance recreation group the SCA, and was enjoying myself recreating bits of history. If you enjoy studying history, what could be better than living bits of it? This enjoyment did not abate all the way through these ups and downs.
Along the way I had learned how to use a sword called the rapier, now think of a weapon which is the grand-father of the modern epee, and you are on the right sort of track. This is a different sort of fencing: it is not restricted to a strip, it is fought often on a marked out field called a list; unlike sport fencing, you can use your other hand sometimes even to carry another weapon; this form of fencing is based on treatises from the 13th to the 17th centuries. I was developing quite a bit of skill along the way.
To cut a much longer story short, I do still study bits of history, but it is usually something to do with fencing. I fence more than most people, and I actually teach people how to fence. I actually did get on the Disability Pension, so by default I am being paid by the government to research history, and teach people how to fence. I am also writing and publishing some books, which I never thought was going to happen. All in all I am happy with the way things have turned out. This is because I have embraced the way things have turned out rather than resented it. Yes, it has taken me longer than most to get here, but I am more comfortable with what I am doing than most are with what they are.
AMOR FATI - Love Your Fate means to love your life the way it is, not resenting things that did not happen and not hoping for things that might not happen. It is accepting things the way they are and embracing them with all your heart. I accept that my conditions impede my progress, but without them I would not be in the position that I am in now, more in control of what I do during the day than most, more in control of my career than most. Take your life and live it to its fullest.
