Stoicism for a Better Life – Weekly exercise (May 9, 2021)

Hello there,

We can make all the excuses we want (time, logistics, motivation, etc…), but in reality journaling is not difficult. It can be done in a notebook, in a letter, it could be done during a quiet meditation or reflection…or (in this case) it could be a post. Usually when I write these weekly exercises, they often double as a reflection. I often pck topics based on my own needs and mood, and this week is no different. I have been feeling … bummed out (for a lack of better words) over the seemingly never ending sequence of “negative” external events.

The barrage of challenges and difficulties life has been throwing my way got the better of me and I lost focus…then hope. So I read some Fyodor and some Seneca. Here is the reflection I had, and I begin it with words from Seneca on his work on Providence:

“To be lucky always and to pass through life without gnawing of the mind is to be ignorant of the half of nature. You are a great man, but how can I know, if Fortune has never given you a chance to display your prowess?”

I have been feeling frustrated as of late and I have noticed I have been less and less patient. My first instinct was to do a root cause analysis behind why I feel this way (to then “fix” the root of the problem). But then I realized my job…my only job in life has not changed; which is to be the best gosh darn human being I can. This (one single) job I have has not changed because it cannot change. It is the only thing that is in my charge in this world and the only thing I can stake a claim to in self evaluating my virtue or lack-thereof.

So as a practical exercise this week, I offer you the same peace of mind Seneca afforded me. When you feel frustrated, stuck, always struggling and not advancing…remember this is the feeling that is associated with a lesson and a learning opportunity. Life and the universe will keep throwing challenges our way. And knowing how time works (i.e. it moves in a singular direction without any stoppage) we will come out on the other end of “said event” no matter how good or bad it is. Therefore, all we have in our circle of influence is how we act and react during this transition. And Seneca reminds us, what our primitive mind perceives as a problem or challenge, our rational mind should remember is a gift and a unique opportunity to cultivate the skills we know to be MOST important.

ŴIshing you all a wise and tranquil week. Get out there and be the best darn human beings you can, for this simple reason: Because you can.

Anderson SIlver (Stoicism for a Better Life)