"For the things we have to learn before we can do them, we learn by doing them, e.g. men become builders by building and lyre players by playing the lyre; so too we become just by doing just acts, temperate by doing temperate acts, brave by doing brave acts." — Aristotle.
A dear friend made me discover this text from the Nicomachean Ethics, written by Aristotle in 350 B.C.E.
The text comes from the beginning of Book II, where Aristotle writes about virtues. The full reflection on how virtues are made and developed is fascinating, as you would expect from one of the greatest philosophers in history.
The part I quoted at the beginning, however, really struck me.
We become by doing.
It's not the same as the famous "fake till you make it". What it really means to me is that if I feel I'm meant to become someone, I need to start behaving as that person. Today, not when I'll be ready.
And it's in and through the practice that I become.
More than five years ago, I wanted to improve my writing skills in English. I was amid a discontinuity in my life, and the idea to write came up while trying to figure out where I was heading. So, I began searching for courses and resources online when I found a blog post (I can't remember where no) saying something like, "a writer is someone who writes and publishes something."
The day after, I started this morning's practice.
Do I feel I am a writer now?
I don't know, but for sure, I feel I am becoming one.
And maybe that is what life is all about.
A never-ending journey of becoming through practice.
P.S. I took the quote from here.
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