Written by: Aashutosh Pudasaini - 22002, Grade XII
Posted on: 23 December, 2021
Is being a loser such a bad thing? The answer depends on what your definition of a ‘loser’ is. Like all things the definition of a loser is subjective and varies from person to person. Generally however being a loser means not having a lot of wealth, fame, influence and being unpopular among your peers. Ancient Greeks argued that the things that define your success like Wealth, Fame and Influence are meaningless in comparison to things that are truly worth living for and can be found within. Chasing the above mentioned things require external validation from others and when a person's happiness depends on others and what they feel about you then what comes with that validation can never be fruitful. Fame, Wealth and all materialistic things withhold from attaining the real important things in life. The Greeks believed that the ability to not care and not change one behaviour based on the ever-changing outside circumstances including others opinions is the only way to attain inner peace.
We’re so afraid to be seen as losers that we’re willing to suffer for other people's approval, what a sad state to live in. By being dependent on others’ opinions we gamble away our chances to be happy. Epictetus, a Greek philosopher, suggests we focus on our opinions about ourselves rather than others. Epictetus argues that inner peace, self-love and a state of tranquillity is more important compared to things we are not the masters of, like others opinions and feelings towards us. If letting go of these lesser things makes us total losers in the eyes of others then that’s a price with paying. Being seen as a loser doesn't have to be a bad thing, quite the contrary actually, Once already been labelled as a loser you no longer have to care about others validation and opinion and you can focus on things that matter like tranquillity and harmony. Being seen as a loser gives you the ability to be transparent and not be poisoned by the burden of others' opinions.
