Last Week

The Daily Stoic

The Practicing Stoic

Meditations

How to Be a Stoic

If you have anger issues, this one is a great tool, H/T mindyourbusiness:

The Stoic Challenge

Disclaimer: I’m not your Supervisor. These are my opinions after reading through these books a few times.

April 30

“Just as what is considered rational or irrational differs for each person, in the same way what is good or evil and useful or useless differs for each person. This is why we need education, so that we might learn how to adjust our preconceived notions of the rational and irrational in harmony with nature. In sorting this out, we don’t simply rely on our estimate of the value of external things, but also apply the rule of what is in keeping with one’s character.”
—EPICTETUS, DISCOURSES, 1.2.5–7

It’s important to know what I believe. It’s also important that I know why I believe what I do. I have always had a bias towards freedom and a natural distrust of authority. The more I have studied economics and history, the stronger these beliefs have become. This studying has made me more skeptical of our “leaders” and more cynical about the chances it gets fixed.

May 1

“For philosophy doesn’t consist in outward display, but in taking heed to what is needed and being mindful of it.”
—MUSONIUS RUFUS, LECTURES, 16.75.15–16

I don’t have a badge I wear to show I am studying and trying to follow Stoicism. The only person that has really noticed a change in me is my wife. As long as it is improving my state of mind and how I deal with problems, it doesn’t matter to me if anyone else knows or not, but it did feel good when my wife has mentioned a few changes she has seen in me, nothing obvious or flashy, just consistent improvement.

 

May 2

“First tell yourself what kind of person you want to be, then do what you have to do. For in nearly every pursuit we see this to be the case. Those in athletic pursuit first choose the sport they want, and then do that work.”
—EPICTETUS, DISCOURSES, 3.23.1–2a

Why did I start studying Stoicism? Because the world was pissing me off and I hadn’t been taking care of myself. I have been working on anger control and getting myself into a better mood. These thoughts are coming fewer times and not staying as long when they do show up. I have also been able to channel my energy into running and working out, even with my medical setback, if I was not studying Stoicism at the time, it would have been too easy to sink into self pity and not recover well.

 

May 3

“Those who receive the bare theories immediately want to spew them, as an upset stomach does its food. First digest your theories and you won’t throw them up. Otherwise they will be raw, spoiled, and not nourishing. After you’ve digested them, show us the changes in your reasoned choices, just like the shoulders of gymnasts display their diet and training, and as the craft of artisans show in what they’ve learned.”
—EPICTETUS, DISCOURSES, 3.21.1–3

Stoicism is, at its core a simple philosophy. Can I control it? If yes, then I should do what’s in my power to be correct. If no, then I shouldn’t worry about it. Trying to tell other people about it can get complicated quickly, so I just try to live my life following it and let my attitude and well being speak for themselves.

 

May 4

“How much better is it to be known for doing well by many than for living extravagantly? How much more worthy than spending on sticks and stones is it to spend on people?”
—MUSONIUS RUFUS, LECTURES, 19.91.26–28

How much do I spend to live in my current lifestyle? How much of that is wasted? I used to do a lot more charity work when I was younger, but opportunities are harder to find now that I am older and everyone I know is well off. I miss doing things to help young Marines and older people. I am sure the chances still exist, just not sure where.

 

May 5

“The raw material for the work of a good and excellent person is their own guiding reason, the body is that of the doctor and the physical trainer, and the farm the farmer’s.”
—EPICTETUS, DISCOURSES, 3.3.1

Just like Dr.s work with people’s bodies, and a farmer works the farm, I need to work with my mind. If I keep working and set aside time everyday to go through my day, I will continue to improve myself. If I assume I “got” it and no longer try to improve, it will be easy to backslide without realizing it.

 

May 6

“Then what makes a beautiful human being? Isn’t it the presence of human excellence? Young friend, if you wish to be beautiful, then work diligently at human excellence. And what is that? Observe those whom you praise without prejudice. The just or the unjust? The just. The even-tempered or the undisciplined? The even-tempered. The self-controlled or the uncontrolled? The self-controlled.
In making yourself that kind of person, you will become beautiful—but to the extent you ignore these qualities, you’ll be ugly, even if you use every trick in the book to appear beautiful.”
—EPICTETUS, DISCOURSES, 3.1.6b–9

Who do I  respect and emulate? In real life, my step dad, and a few Marines that I either worked with or for. In history, Thomas Jefferson and Frederick Douglass and many others. If I have good role models, it helps to keep my mind focused and not loose my cool over meaningless difficulties.

 

This week the music is from Manowar. I know their videos and outfits are horrible, and some of their songs sound like they were written in high school:

Manowar, Manowar, living on the road
When we’re in town, speakers explode
We don’t attract wimps
Cause we’re too loud
Just true metal people
That’s Manowar’s crowd

But, if you just listen to some of their other music, they have some excellent songs.

Swords in the Wind

The Power of Thy Sword

Spirit Horse of the Cherokee

And my personal favorite:

Hail and Kill