Stoicism for a Better Life – Weekly exercise (July 17, 2019)

Hello there,

This week for our practice, let us change our view from the macroscopic to the microscopic. Epictetus Discourses II 18.1-5:

“Every habit and capability is confirmed and grows in its corresponding actions: walking by walking, and running by running…therefore, if you want to do something make a habit of it, if you don’t want to do that, don’t but make a habit of something else instead.”

Aristotle said that “We are what we repeatedly do, therefore, excellence is not an act but a habit”. We know that virtue is merely the practice of what we “know” to be good as often as possible. I use quotations on “know” as it can be subjective, notably through the practice of virtue ethics, such as Stoicism. But some things we can almost assuredly know as being good (for example, littering out the window of a car on the road is wrong in almost any context).

The fire you fuel within dictates which person you become. So for this week’s exercise, identify one “good” thing you want to be better at (habit, demeanour, thought, response, action, etc) and become the master of it through repetition, focus and discipline. Focus on the one single attainable objective as often as you can. Rome was not built in a day, so you will not change overnight, nor can you change major habits in a week. But pick something small and attainable, then just aim to become the master of it over the next few days by repeating it. Let the group know what you chose, and how your mastery of it is progressing.

As always, much love to you all, and I wish you a wise, tranquil and productive week.

Anderson Silver

(Author of “Your User’s Manual” and “Vol 2: Your Duality Within”)