Stoicism for a Better Life – Weekly exercise (January 17, 2021)

Hello there,

Let us continue to begin our year with newfound fervour to face our challenges head-on and to uncompromising work at bettering ourselves. Let us find inspiration from these words from Seneca’s work on Providence:

“Prosperity can come to the vulgar and to ordinary talents, but to triumph over the disasters and terrors of mortal life is the privilege of the great man.”

Undoubtedly 202 has brought us all harder external circumstances, and it would be illogical to think the mere change of a calendar date makes any of them go away. We may be 2021, but all the pandemic and political/social issues that have plagued us are on-going and will do so in the near future. But our ancient guides will tell us this is a good thing that we should be thankful for.

Hard times give us the opportunity to show what we are made of, as opposed to saying what we are made of. Lest we forget our school is a practical one and one where we are Stoics not by quoting, discussing or repeating, but by doing and demonstrating and acting. Therefore, we can only be Stoics if we are presented with challenges to practise our school’s teachings.

So as a practical exercise this week, when you are faced with one of your multiple challenges change your attitude and embrace it. It is not an obstacle to be overcome, but a unique opportunity to practice what you have been trying to learn. Just as our muscles get stronger when we train with heavier weights, our Prohairesis gets stronger when we train with heavier external challenges. So try and be happy and thankful for the opportunity to show your strength as opposed to being angry or upset over having to deal with external circumstances that may be unpreferred or cause an inconvenience.

Anderson Silver