The power of the ancient Philosophy of Stocism
Stoicism
An amazing philosophy for living that I came across several years ago.
The Stoics were a group of ancient philosophers in Rome who evolved from the great Greek philosophers and who believed in embracing life's challenges with a calm and resilient mindset. A little like the Buddhists of their day.
They taught that by focusing on what we can control and letting go of what we can’t, we can achieve true happiness and fulfilment.
“Every obstacle is a pathway to wisdom.” Epictetus
The good news is we can be inspired and cherry pick whatever we need from it and adapt it to our current circumstances in this modern world.
Stoicism isn't just about enduring hardship; it's about seeing every obstacle as an opportunity for growth and self-improvement.
The Stoics emphasised living in harmony with nature, practicing self-discipline, and striving for personal virtue.
Their teachings encourage us to examine our motives, align our actions with our values, and live a life of purpose.
By adopting a Stoic approach, we learn to appreciate what we have, face life's uncertainties with confidence, and cultivate inner peace amidst external chaos.
Even though it wasn't a philosophy aimed at achieving material success they invariably became some of the most successful and powerful people on Earth. Marcus Aurelius was the Emperor of Rome and the most famous Stoic.
“Our life is what our thoughts make it.” Marcus Aurelius
A key Stoic principle was :
"Strive not to be the best in comparison to others, but to be the best version of yourself in every moment."
Stoicism gives us practical tips for navigating our lives and also teaches us to focus on our ultimate purpose, beyond the obvious daily distractions or temporary goals. It encourages us to contemplate our grand goal, our true north that guides our actions and decisions.
In essence, Stoicism asks us to define what we consider most valuable in life and to live in alignment with that value. This isn't about the material desires we often chase—like a successful job or a comfortable home—but about our deeper, overarching purpose.
Many of us don't spend time thinking about this grand goal due to societal distractions, yet identifying it is crucial for a meaningful life.
Without a clear goal, we risk leading a life filled with activities and pleasures that, in the end, may leave us feeling unfulfilled.
Stoicism offers a solution: by understanding our ultimate goal and developing a strategy to achieve it, we can live a life that's not only directed but also deeply satisfying. This approach ensures that our daily actions contribute to our grand purpose, maximising our chances of living a life that's truly valuable.
Why is it important to have such a philosophy? Because without one, there’s a danger that we will mis-live. Despite all our activity, despite all the pleasant diversions we may have enjoyed while alive, we will end up living a bad life.
There is, in other words, a danger that when we are on your deathbed, we will look back and realise that we wasted our one chance at living.
In particular, if we lack an effective strategy for attaining our goal, it is unlikely that we will attain it. Thus, the second component of this successful philosophy of life is a strategy for attaining our grand goal in living.
Here’s an amazing book that gives a fantastic overview along with practical tips
And here’s a link to Ryan Holiday’s inspirational Instagram based around Stoicism.
Let me know how you get on.
I’d also love to hear back from you on any thoughts and suggestions for future topics. Or anything at all!
