With Boodle Box’s update, I switched the model powering the Epictetus Bot, and provided some additional texts. As nice as Epictetus’ writings were, they didn’t have the breadth of content I needed for what I was using the bot for. So, I mixed in Marcus Aurelius’ Meditation and Seneca’s Morals of a Happy Life.

Finding Quotes

I often look for inspiring quotes in my notebooks that I’ve written down, or that I can reflect on. And, I like to share those with others for special occasions. For example, here are a few that came in response to my request for five inspiring sayings on starting a new project:

1. “No great thing is created suddenly.” – Epictetus
   Remember that success takes time and patience. Allow your project to grow and mature naturally.
2. “Travel and change of place impart new vigor to the mind.” – Seneca
   Embrace new experiences and perspectives as they can invigorate your creativity and drive.
3. “The impediment to action advances action. What stands in the way becomes the way.” – Marcus Aurelius
   Use obstacles as stepping stones to progress. Challenges can guide you to innovative solutions.
4. “If you want to improve, be content to be thought foolish and stupid.” – Epictetus
   Don’t fear judgment or failure. Embrace learning and growth, even if it means making mistakes.
5. “Begin at once to live, and count each separate day as a separate life.” – Seneca
   Treat each day as a fresh start, full of potential and opportunity to make progress.

These are powerful life lessons and you could spend a long time working to understand and apply them. I find #1 is so apt for new projects, as is #4 when starting to learn something new. The others could easily be taken as life lessons, especially #3 and #5.

I’m grateful I learned #4 early, and I’m still wrestling with #3. As to #2, I am a reluctant traveler these days…perhaps, only travel can solve that.

“Travel not just to see new places, but to discover new wisdom within yourself.”

-The Epictetus Bot