Stay calm Do the right thing Ignore what you don’t control
These three principles may sound easy to follow, but they require a lot of practice and discipline to master. In this blog post, I will explain Stoicism, its relevance today, and how you can apply it to your daily life.
Stoicism is an ancient philosophy that teaches us how to live well in a chaotic and uncertain world. It was founded by Zeno of Citium in the 3rd century BC and developed by his followers such as Seneca, Epictetus, and Marcus Aurelius. The main goal of Stoicism is to achieve inner peace and happiness by focusing on what is under our control and letting go of what is not.
Stoics believe we can control only our thoughts, actions, and reactions. Everything else, such as external events, other people’s opinions, and bodily sensations, is beyond our control and should not disturb us. Doing so can avoid unnecessary suffering and negative emotions such as anger, fear, anxiety, envy, and regret.
Stoics also believe we should act according to our rational nature and moral duty. We should do what is right and virtuous in every situation, regardless of the consequences or rewards. By doing so, we can live in harmony with ourselves, others, and the universe.
Stoicism is not a rigid or dogmatic system of rules. It is a flexible and practical guide for living well. It does not tell us what to do or avoid in every circumstance. It gives us a framework for making wise decisions based on our reason and values.
Stoicism is not a passive or indifferent attitude toward life. It is an active and engaged way of living with courage and resilience. It does not mean that we should ignore or suppress our emotions. It means that we should understand and healthily manage them.
Stoicism is not a pessimistic or cynical view of the world. It is a realistic and optimistic one. It does not mean we should expect the worst or give up on our goals. We should prepare for the challenges and opportunities that may arise and adapt to whatever happens.
Stoicism is not a selfish or isolated way of living. It is a social and compassionate one. It does not mean that we should disregard or harm others. It means we should respect and help others as much as possible.
Stoicism is an accurate and relevant philosophy. It is a timeless and universal one. It has been practiced by people from different cultures, backgrounds, and professions throughout history. It has inspired many modern thinkers, leaders, and movements. It can help us cope with the difficulties and uncertainties of our contemporary world.
Stoicism is simple but challenging. It requires constant awareness, reflection, and action. It challenges us to examine our beliefs, values, and habits. It invites us to improve ourselves and our lives.
If you are interested in learning more about Stoicism and how to practice it, here are some resources that I recommend:
- The Daily Stoic: A website that offers daily wisdom from the Stoics and practical tips for applying it. - Meditations: A book by Marcus Aurelius that contains his reflections on living as a Stoic emperor. - Letters from a Stoic: A collection of letters by Seneca that covers various topics related to Stoic ethics and psychology. - The Enchiridion: A handbook by Epictetus that summarizes the core teachings of Stoicism. - How to Be a Stoic: A book by Massimo Pigliucci that explains the basics of Stoicism and how to apply it to modern challenges.
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To be a Stoic is Simple
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Maxime Lagacé states To be a Stoic is simple:
Stay calm
Do the right thing
Ignore what you don’t control
These three principles may sound easy to follow, but they require a lot of practice and discipline to master. In this blog post, I will explain Stoicism, its relevance today, and how you can apply it to your daily life.
Stoicism is an ancient philosophy that teaches us how to live well in a chaotic and uncertain world. It was founded by Zeno of Citium in the 3rd century BC and developed by his followers such as Seneca, Epictetus, and Marcus Aurelius. The main goal of Stoicism is to achieve inner peace and happiness by focusing on what is under our control and letting go of what is not.
Stoics believe we can control only our thoughts, actions, and reactions. Everything else, such as external events, other people’s opinions, and bodily sensations, is beyond our control and should not disturb us. Doing so can avoid unnecessary suffering and negative emotions such as anger, fear, anxiety, envy, and regret.
Stoics also believe we should act according to our rational nature and moral duty. We should do what is right and virtuous in every situation, regardless of the consequences or rewards. By doing so, we can live in harmony with ourselves, others, and the universe.
Stoicism is not a rigid or dogmatic system of rules. It is a flexible and practical guide for living well. It does not tell us what to do or avoid in every circumstance. It gives us a framework for making wise decisions based on our reason and values.
Stoicism is not a passive or indifferent attitude toward life. It is an active and engaged way of living with courage and resilience. It does not mean that we should ignore or suppress our emotions. It means that we should understand and healthily manage them.
Stoicism is not a pessimistic or cynical view of the world. It is a realistic and optimistic one. It does not mean we should expect the worst or give up on our goals. We should prepare for the challenges and opportunities that may arise and adapt to whatever happens.
Stoicism is not a selfish or isolated way of living. It is a social and compassionate one. It does not mean that we should disregard or harm others. It means we should respect and help others as much as possible.
Stoicism is an accurate and relevant philosophy. It is a timeless and universal one. It has been practiced by people from different cultures, backgrounds, and professions throughout history. It has inspired many modern thinkers, leaders, and movements. It can help us cope with the difficulties and uncertainties of our contemporary world.
Stoicism is simple but challenging. It requires constant awareness, reflection, and action. It challenges us to examine our beliefs, values, and habits. It invites us to improve ourselves and our lives.
If you are interested in learning more about Stoicism and how to practice it, here are some resources that I recommend:
- The Daily Stoic: A website that offers daily wisdom from the Stoics and practical tips for applying it.
- Meditations: A book by Marcus Aurelius that contains his reflections on living as a Stoic emperor.
- Letters from a Stoic: A collection of letters by Seneca that covers various topics related to Stoic ethics and psychology.
- The Enchiridion: A handbook by Epictetus that summarizes the core teachings of Stoicism.
- How to Be a Stoic: A book by Massimo Pigliucci that explains the basics of Stoicism and how to apply it to modern challenges.
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