Stoicism for a Better Life – Weekly exercise (July 4, 2021)

Hello there,

If you’re reading this then you are trying to improve yourself. And if that’s the case, then this lesson is for you. Here are some words from Marcus Aurelius to himself (and us) in his Meditations VI 30:

“Do everything as a disciple of Marcus. Remember his disregard of empty fame, and his efforts to understand things; and how he would never let anything pass without first most carefully examined it and clearly understood it; and how he bore with those who blamed him unjustly without blaming them in return; how he did nothing in a hurry; how exact an examiner of manners and actions he was; and not given to reproach people, nor timid, nor suspicious, nor a sophist; and with how little he was satisfied, such as lodging, bed, dress, food, servants; and how he was able on account of his sparing diet to hold out to the evening; and his firmness and uniformity in friendships; and how he tolerated freedom of speech in those who opposed his opinions; and the pleasure that he had when any man showed him anything better. Imitate all this that you may have as good a conscience when your last hour comes, as he had.”

This week’s exercise is a simple one. We are not perfect and can never be perfect. Yet we aim for perfection. So how can we aim at what we do not know? We cannot aim at something we cannot see, so we must use an external standard of perfection. Our guides teach us how to live so as not to be “crooked”, in the same way a carpenter will use a ruler to ensure his lines are straight. This is not to say our humble guides were perfect either…far from it by all their own admissions. However, their words inspire us towards greatness as they share the ideals of a virtuous man.

So for this week’s exercise, think of someone who inspires you and maybe write out a few bullet points of what it is that person inspires in you. Then, strive to emulate some of these. It can be as simple or as complicated as you want it to be, but the important thing is you strive for something different…out of the ordinary daily routine. You should consciously and conscientiously be aware of what it is you are trying to accomplish and actively work towards it. 

Happy journeys my friends. 

Anderson Silver (Stoicism for a Better Life)