Stoic Calm: Embracing What Is

“Don’t lament this and don’t get agitated.” —Marcus Aurelius

A Modern Translation: Stop wasting energy worrying, and don't allow yourself to get overly upset about things you can't change.

Simple Explanation: When faced with challenges, the Stoics taught us to focus on our own responses, rather than the external circumstances. Lamenting and agitation change nothing, and only drain our inner strength.

Question:

• Do you often find yourself getting worked up or worrying about situations beyond your control?

• How can you practice a more stoic response the next time you encounter hardship?

• What's one area of your life where you tend to waste emotional energy unnecessarily?
  
  

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Deep Dive:

Marcus Aurelius, the philosopher-emperor, understood that dwelling on misfortune or becoming overly emotional only worsens the situation. Stoicism isn't about suppressing emotions, but rather understanding and managing them. Negative emotions are a part of life, but we shouldn't allow them to control us.

This wisdom extends to how we react to others. Seneca advises us: "Regarding the person who insults you, ask yourself- 'Does this person know any better?'" Instead of anger or agitation, the Stoic response is one of understanding, and sometimes even pity.

Epictetus taught that we cannot control the world around us, but we can control our perception and reaction to it. The practice of Stoicism lies in developing this mental discipline. It's training ourselves to focus on what lies within our power.

The Stoics believed in something called "Amor Fati"- the love of one's fate. They accepted what life threw at them, not with a defeatist attitude, but with an understanding that fighting against reality is futile.

Applicable Situations

• Unexpected setbacks or disappointments

• Difficult interactions with others

• Dealing with the loss of a loved one or other grief
  
  

Action Items

• Practice mindfulness and focus on recognizing when you start to feel distressed.

• Remind yourself: your emotions are valid, but they don't always reflect reality objectively.

• Employ Stoic techniques like negative visualization, where you preemptively imagine setbacks in order to be mentally resilient in the face of those setbacks.
  
  

Modern Connections:

The sports world is filled with examples of athletes who master their emotions under pressure. Think of Michael Jordan's unflappable demeanor in clutch moments, or Tom Brady's ability to stay composed even after a bad interception. They embody the Stoic understanding that focus and mental clarity are essential for success.

The movie "Gladiator" features the Stoic general Maximus. Despite facing unimaginable tragedy, Maximus never loses his composure, and continues to act with honor and dignity. His portrayal offers a powerful example of resilience, inner peace, and living a life aligned with virtue.

Countless song lyrics echo similar themes. From "Hakuna Matata" in Disney's "The Lion King", to the enduring lyrics of "Let It Be" by the Beatles, pop culture often reminds us to let go of needless worry. These songs and stories connect us to these universal truths across time and culture.

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