Stoicism for a Better Life

Growth doesn’t come from always being right. It comes from being willing to ask, “What if I’m wrong?” Most of us never do. They build an identity around being “correct.” They defend their beliefs like a fortress—unwilling to let anything new in. But here’s the irony: If you never question yourself, you never evolve. Epictetus nailed it when he said: “It is impossible for a man to learn what he thinks he already knows.” In other words, you can't fix that which is not broken.

Strength & Power does not necessitate ruthlessness, selfishness and cruelty. True strength comes from having the mental, spiritual AND physical strength to deal with what you may be faced with. Not in order to dominate others, but to merely stand for what is right. This can still be achieved with kindness and peacefulness. Today, we share some wisdom from the Daoists and Shintoists, which overlaps with our Stoic ways.

CRIIINGE!!! Ever say or do something and immediately after you feel like a complete awkward mess? You end up regretting the event and can't stop thinking about what others are thinking and saying about your actions and choices? You think to yourself why you did it...why you're so weird....and how you will now be judged and shunned? We've all been there, don't worry. And here are a few ideas to meditate on in order to help you get past these normal basic thoughts and concerns.

Inner peace...we all want it. We all chase it...but we can't seem to get there. Or if we do...it does not seem to last. The formula for a tranquil life is actually quite simple. Its consistent application, however, is where it gets difficult. In this episode, let's discuss some of the tools the Stoics used to help gain and (more importantly) maintain tranquillity.

Errors are a normal part of being human. But we are too often so harsh on ourselves. A simple shift in focus from perfection to progression can help you overcome the death spiral of self-criticism. If you are a human being, then this episode might be for you, because the Stoics recognized we make mistakes sometimes and gave us some guidance to remain focused on the task at hand.

Pursue dreams that are in the future...OK. Now don't focus on the future...Huh? Pursuing dreams can seem paradoxical as a Stoic, for we are trying to live in the present moment, but dreams are in the future. So how do we reconcile the two? Let me clarify how our teacher differentiates the pursuit of goals and dreams from our happiness and tranquillity in this episode of SFBL.

Let me drop a quick truth bomb on you... Loving reality and accepting all the bad things that have happened to you has less to do with the discipline of accepting reality as it is and almost everything to do with loving YOURSELF in the present moment. Let me walk you through how our Stoic ancestors put this with a few quotes and ideas in this short episode.

Our unhealthy wantingness to please others is no fault of our own. From a young age, we are trained to make the authority figure (parent, teacher, coach, manager, etc.,) happy and to do as they say. Later in life, this can translate into an unhealthy habit of trying to be a people pleaser whether we realize it or not. This human trait to try and please others also speaks to our pack animal nature, so we can easily get caught in a death spiral of trying to please others at our own peril. If this sounds familiar, let me share with you some tips and tricks my Stoic ancestors have taught me to help manage the stress and anxiety that comes with trying to please others.

Season 7; Episode 3 (123) - ON STAYING FOCUSED ON THE TASK AT HAND - Am I the only one that feels staying focused on the task at hand is an impossible task? Distractions galore in the form of responsibilities, goals, tasks, demands of the world around us from bosses, family, kids, etc... Let me share with you a few tricks I picked up from Marcus Aurelius and Epictetus as we learn about tools that can help us remain focused on being a virtuous human being.

Everywhere we look it is chaos, divisiveness, injustice, unfairness and uncertainty. Seriously...how does anyone get through life without breaking down into a fetal position and crying? I'm not sure how you guys do it, but let me share with you how I get through on this short opener for season 7. I'm really looking forward to this season with you guys!

THIS IS THE CHAPTER YOU WANT. If there is one chapter you read from this book, this is it. How do you find tranquillity in this life? By having a why. How do you know what your purpose (or Why) is? By clearly identifying your necessities. Here we outline a step by step guide for identifying your purpose in life.

Thinking about the suffering of others and working towards their betterment is a sure fire source of joy in life. Last Chapter we spoke about why Loving thy neighbour is the only option and a great source of joy. This chapter we conclude and hammer it home: Seriously...Love Thy Neighbour!