Pythagoras was a wise man and influenced the thoughts of other wise and great men such as Plato and Aristotle...but a person doesn't need to be great to take inspiration from great men; one can be totally average, like me. I often take inspiration from those who have achieved greatness and last week was one such moment.
What place does Pythagoras have to do with a coffee post though? It has something to do with the quote above and the text below will explain the [probably somewhat tenuous] link. Read on if you're keen to understand the connection.
It has been a long while since I drove a heavy truck, but last week I found myself motoring along in just such a vehicle to drop it to a customer. We'd just finished some work on it and the customer needed it quickly; I put my hand up to deliver it to them thinking it would be fun.
I know, now you're really confused because what the hell does Pythagoras and a heavy truck have to do with coffee? Trust me, it'll all come together by the end. [I hope so anyway.]
It was cool driving the truck and whilst I was a little nervous at first because it's been years since I drove anything this big, a triple axle 22-tonne truck, I soon got into the swing of it and felt pretty comfortable...although I'll admit I didn't relax; it's a lot of vehicle to operate and many things can go wrong if one isn't attentive.
I pulled into the yard at the transport company and did a bloody legit job at backing the big beast into it's parking bay, handed over the keys and called up an Uber car for the trip back to my workplace but...
[Here comes the coffee part y'all]
...I decided to stop for a coffee first.
My logic on the stop for coffee before I go back to work plan was impeccable [in my humble opinion] and here's where the three things in my title converge.
As I was driving the truck I was contemplating the words of the great man himself, Pythagoras, because doesn't everyone? Anyway, he once said to "Rest satisfied with doing well..." Who am I to argue with the sage wisdom of such an esteemed and legit man...so I interpreted it to mean, go and have a coffee and relax a little bit, you've earned it G-dog. And I did.
You'll note I have conveniently omitted the rest of the quote from my logical justification of a sneaky work-time coffee which I did because it suited my needs and its my post so I can do what I want.
I decided I had done very well indeed, driving that truck to my customer, and figured I'd buy a coffee, take some well-deserved rest and celebrate my truck driving brilliance for just a moment.
You can see my coffee above. As I sipped it, I watched people go by and wondered if they even knew how close to a truck-driving genius they were actually walking. No one stopped to ask for a selfie with me or an autograph but that's ok, I'm content to know they all wanted to but were too busy to take the time.
Rest satisfied with doing well, and leave others to talk of you as they will - Pythagoras
It's a great quote, don't you think?
It means [to me] that one should be content with oneself and deeds, to celebrate them just a little, despite the fact others may speak ill of you or what you do. It's a rather nice little quote I think, especially in a world full of people who seem to put more credence upon what others think and say of them, rather than what they think of themselves.
I've written this post to read with a little humour [hopefully] but I'll be honest and say I felt a sense of satisfaction in this small task, the truck driving, especially considering it's been such a long time since I have driven a vehicle of that size, and even then I wasn't often driving. I know others do so every day but that doesn't negate or diminish my feeling of achievement, small though it is. I felt that was worthy of a smallish reward, a coffee before returning to work.
So there you have it: Pythagoras, a truck and coffee...Who would have thought all three would ever come together in a single post.
If you feel like it, tell me about a small achievement you've made and if you decided to mark the occasion with a small reward. Or, just tell me I'm an idiot for writing a post with Pythagoras, a truck and coffee in it. I don't mind which. [I'd prefer the former though.]
Design and create your ideal life, don't live it by default - Tomorrow isn't promised so be humble and kind
The image is my own and not for your use