What lessons can we learn from Stoicism?
Stoicism teaches the development of self-control and fortitude as a means of overcoming destructive emotions; the philosophy holds that becoming a clear and unbiased thinker allows one to understand the universal reason. Here are a few lessons we can learn from stoicism:
Change what you can and forget the rest
- There are so many things that are out of our control
- Trying to gain control over them is only going to make us miserable
- Focus on only the things that are in our control and let the rest be
Believe in yourself
Through inner reflection and introspection, the stoics ultimately inspire us to believe in ourselves. Once you find your path, trust that it is the right path and keep walking on it.
Be grateful at all times
- Seneca wrote to his friend Luculias, “In all things we should try to make ourselves be as grateful as possible.”
- No matter what happens in life, there is always plenty to be grateful for
- Make it a point to write down things that you are grateful for
Be aware of your Mortality
It is important for one to know their mortality. The fact that they will not live forever sounds grim, but in fact, it is the most beautiful and liberating thought since it will force you to take action now.
Nothing can break you
- Epictetus said, “You can bind up my leg, but not even Zeus has the power to break my freedom of choice.”
- The human spirit knows no bounds
- No matter what life throws at you, you have it within you to fight it and emerge the victor
Accept your fate
We often try our best to change the flow of how things are going to meet our expectations, but when things don’t go our way, we are stuck in the vicious cycle of depression and anxiety. Let go of trying to control what you can’t and accept things just the way they are.
Go within yourself
Everything is inside us. Instead of looking outside and walking the path of someone else, look within and forge you own path.
Be Kind always
Being unkind and cruel as the masks that people wear hiding their own inner conflicts and pain. Anger is a way to dissipate pain. Instead of taking it out on someone else, go within and work on it.