Yet another turn in the road of life and I find Epicurus and the Sages have already been here and offer a salve.
"I spit upon the beautiful and those who vainly admire it, when it does not produce any pleasure"
As I navigate a very amicable separation and co-parenting arrangement with my ex-partner this oracle has presented itself from my memory as the correct approach. Even a beautiful form like a generally pleasant and peaceful marriage and family lifemust not get in the way of the Pleasant Life if it no longer offers it. In this moment I read it is a way to manage the loss of a pleasant form that became untenable and unpleasant over time. I need not mourn long but even reason towards shunning what was to dodge falling into an unpleasant state again. Beautiful forms, however beautiful and virtuous, must face the measuring stick of the Canon.
Note: Given how damned awkward this subject can be I will simply say I am actually pretty unburdened by dourness and flying high emotionally from this among other emotions and the ex-partner and I are fully committed to Friendship and partnering in raising the children. So no need for any sort of expression of condolences if you, gentle soul, are so inclined. I just wanted to share a new perspective I had on what might be a baffling oracle from Epicurus or original Epicureans.
