“We have the power to hold no opinion about a thing and to not let it upset our state of mind — for things have no natural power to shape our judgments.” — Marcus Aurelius
It isn’t easy to stay neutral in a world that seems to constantly demand your opinion on everything.
What team are you rooting for? What political party do you support? What do you think about this issue . . . and this one, and this one?
As human beings, we have an instinctive desire to feel like part of a group, a member of a club, a player on a team; a reflexive urge to classify everyone around us as either “with me” or “against me.”
Marcus is reminding us that we can choose to overcome these urges, and free ourselves of the negative emotions they cause.
You’re allowed to have no opinion at all about a topic, regardless of how much someone insists that you pick a side. You’re allowed to decide that you aren’t going to waste any time even thinking about it.
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Stoicism isn’t just some dusty old philosophy — it’s also a practical toolkit for navigating modern life. When I was introduced to it years ago, I was amazed to discover that the lessons of the ancient Stoics were both simple and profound. Read More >>
Don’t lament the loss of your name; instead, celebrate the perpetuity of the waves and the mountains and the valleys and the oceans. Be grateful that our glorious world, so perfectly suited for human flourishing, will be seen and heard and felt by countless others in the future. Read More >>
When I was a twenty-something, I asked my grandfather if he’d been scared while going through months of radiation treatment for prostate cancer. Read More >>
Saying that someone looks at things “through rose-colored glasses” usually implies that they’re naive about the world. But the concept that we can choose to view external circumstances through different “lenses” or “frames” is one of the most profound ideas that the human mind ever devised. Read More >>
Socrates famously said “no one does wrong willingly,” and he believed that we always choose what we think is best for us, based on our knowledge and experiences. Read More >>
There are things in your life that you love, or that help you, or that you enjoy having around — and that’s okay. Just be sure to remind yourself of what they really are. Read More >>
Pursuing knowledge is like navigating an ocean: we should learn how to traverse the water’s surface, but diving too deep beneath the waves will only bend us away from living. Read More >>
In order for the world to exist as it does, all human beings — even those you don’t like — need to be exactly who they are, playing the specific roles they’re playing on the stage of life. Read More >>
The teachings of Socrates were so influential that he’s often referred to as the father of all philosophy. He died before Stoicism was codified as a school of thought, but many of his views on the nature of happiness were echoed by Stoic philosophers hundreds of years later. Read More >>
Traveling can be wonderful, especially when it exposes us to the beauty and history of places we’ve never visited before. But don’t let the allure of “over there” blind you to the beauty that exists right here. Read More >>
“At dawn, when you have trouble getting out of bed, tell yourself: ‘I have to go to work — as a human being. What do I have to complain of, if I’m going to do what I was born for — the things I was brought into the world to do? Or is this what I was created for? To huddle under the blankets and stay warm?’” — Marcus Aurelius
There are people who need you. When they’re frightened, they need to know that you’re calm. When they’re uncertain, they need to know that you’re confident. When they’re in pain, they need to know that you’ll take care of them.
They need to know these things, even though you may doubt your own ability to deliver. Of course, you’re a human being with fears, anxieties, and pains of your own. But if they’re bearable, then try to bear them until you’ve finished the tasks you’ve been given.
Your fortitude will spring from necessity. You’ll disregard the fear, because they need you to. You’ll ignore the pain and weariness, because you must. You’ll be strong, because it’s your job.
“If you need a witness to your virtue, be your own.” — Epictetus
You’ve decided to train your mind in the philosopher’s gym, and you should be proud of any progress you’ve made. Strengthening your use of reason and gaining control of your impressions takes consistent, tough work.
But remember: your training probably won’t inspire change in those around you. It won’t bring you admiration or compliments. Most of what you’re learning would be misunderstood and mocked by the masses, anyway, even if you could explain it with perfect eloquence.
Let your own growth be the only gauge you use to identify success.
Others probably won’t notice or care about the improvements you’re making. But so what? Don’t let yourself daydream about becoming some wise sage who offers guidance to others; you have enough work just putting yourself on the right path.
There’s no need to boast about the road you’re following — just follow it. You’re the only audience you need, anyway.
“Everything’s destiny is to change, to be transformed, to perish. So that new things can be born.” — Marcus Aurelius
Think about it: what are the modern conveniences we surround ourselves with, when stripped down to their elements? All of these cities, houses, automobiles, skyscrapers, machines, luxuries, endless lanes of concrete and asphalt?
They seem solid and perpetual to us, but that’s a deception. It’s really all just flimsy bits of glass and wood and plastic and leather and metal; a thin, temporary film on the earth; a residue of soap bubbles on the water.
Everything we build, buy and treasure will soon be reabsorbed, recycled and forgotten . . . along with the rest of us. Even something as seemingly ageless as the great pyramids in Egypt are being gradually swept away, grain by grain.
Pointing out the impermanence of these things isn’t meant to upset you, but rather to remind you of what’s really important. Why fret over things that will soon deteriorate, disappear, or get chucked into a landfill?
Instead, focus on the only thing that can never be taken away from you: your capacity to make rational choices. Tending to your own mind and keeping it in good repair is a better pastime than worrying about tomorrow’s garbage, anyway.
“Everything you see will soon alter and cease to exist. Think of how many changes you’ve already seen; the world is nothing but change.” — Marcus Aurelius
The world isn’t ready for what’s coming . . . but it will come nonetheless.
That could be said about countless transitions in human history. But because of recent breakthroughs in artificial intelligence and other technologies, our world is changing more significantly — and more quickly — than for any generation before us.
Sadly, for a big percentage of the population — those who refuse to accept the inevitable, learn new things or reinvent themselves — the next few decades might be aggravating, confusing and even frightening.
Don’t exile yourself to that same sad island of inflexibility.
Technological advancement isn’t something you can change, so don’t waste time worrying or getting angry about it. Instead, accept that it’s going to happen and focus on being happy and productive in new, inevitable surroundings.
No matter how many “human” tasks AI learns to do better than us, it can’t take away our talents, passions, experiences and choices. We can still find joy in creating and nurturing things we love, regardless if machines can do the same stuff more quickly and with fewer flaws.
Try allowing some gratitude into your outlook, too, for being alive at such an amazing time in human history. We have the opportunity to learn more, live healthier, and experience stuff that our ancestors could never have imagined.
“The primary cause of both hope and fear is that instead of adapting ourselves to present circumstances, we send out thoughts too far ahead.” — Seneca
If there’s such a thing as “advanced Stoicism,” then this concept belongs in that category. It’s difficult to internalize, but powerful for those who are able to do it.
Hope and fear are, in essence, the same thing. It’s not an observation that will win you many accolades on social media . . . but that makes it no less true.
When we become paralyzed by fear, we’re removing ourselves from the present moment and focusing on what might happen. We do the same thing when we get enthralled by hope.
Of course, hope isn’t always a bad thing. But try not to let thoughts of what could be — whether pleasant or petrifying — distract you from what is.
The best way to build the future you want is by training your attention on the work that’s in front of you, in this moment. Don’t let specters like hope and fear divert you from what needs to be done.
“Whenever someone has done wrong by you, immediately consider what notion of good or evil they had in doing it. For when you see that, you’ll feel compassion, instead of astonishment or rage” — Marcus Aurelius
Socrates famously said “no one does wrong willingly,” and he believed that we always choose what we think is best for us, based on our knowledge and experiences.
This is a tough concept to focus on — especially if someone is being cruel to us. But they really do, for whatever reason, think that they need to be doing it.
That doesn’t mean you should let people take advantage of you or hurt you . . . Stoics aren’t afraid to protect themselves or fight for what’s right. But you’ll always have an advantage if you consider why the people you dislike think their actions are necessary.
“Let us see to it that the recollection of those whom we have lost becomes a pleasant memory to us.” — Seneca
Losing someone we love is among life’s most painful experiences, but grief isn’t something we should try to suppress or ignore. And heartbreak can’t just be flicked away with armchair philosophy or eloquent words.
One way to prepare for grief in advance, though, is by asking yourself a simple question: “If I were gone, how would I want them to remember me?”
Would you want your memory to invoke sadness and pity, making everyone dwell on your bad luck or the pains you suffered?
Or would you rather they were reminded of the joys you experienced, instead, and felt cheerful every time they thought of you?
It might not be possible at first, but try to give others the same thing you would want. Focus on remembering their joys, and let thoughts of them inspire only happiness.
