Stoicism for a Better Life

Episode 140…can you believe it? Let us finish the season with a bang! Today we talk about the Stoics' true power and how to cultivate it. Remember that you can reach out to me or find other resources at stoicismforabetterlife.com (including my Patreon link).

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.

Try this experiment...find a quiet place, sit down and turn off all screens. Just sit there and stare at something of your choice and note how long it takes before regrets of the past, anxieties of the future and a myriad of other emotions enter your thoughts. If this sounds familiar, you have to address this. You must be able to be alone in the moment in order to cultivate the most important relationship you have - the one with yourself. In this episode, let's talk about a few tips and tricks on how to achieve this.

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.

Life just sucks doesn't it? It always finds a way to bring you down and punch you in the stomach no matter how hard you're trying right? If you want reprieve from the "suck" you will keep searching your whole life until your death bed, for controlling the universe around us is impossible. But if you're looking for ways to LIVE WITH the "suck", then I have some answers for you in today's episode about having faith in the universe and yourself.

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.

Joy...we all want it...we all chase it...and none of us seem to ever have enough. Yet the fix for this is all too simple. You can find joy in any moment and cultivate it if you just pay attention. Let's talk about three ways we can help cultivate our joy within.

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.

In this episode, we will tackle some tips and tricks on Staying Grounded in a Chaotic World. Due to the current global economic and political climate, most human beings in the world today are feeling triggered, confused, fearful, crushed, hopeless, angry, etc. The answer? Copious amounts of alcohol. If that's not your thing, perhaps these Stoic tips and tricks can give you something to work with to try and get out of the despair we feel sometimes.

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.