Six stoic ideas you can start today to be wiser and courageous.
Stoicism may be an ancient philosophy, but it is relevant for anybody today trying to be their best self.
Stoicism is a school of Hellenistic philosophy founded by the philosopher Zeno of Citium in the 4th century BCE. The Stoics believed in living by reason and virtue and that the best way to do this was to focus on what one can control and let go of what one cannot control.
One of the critical principles of Stoicism is the idea of "indifference," which does not mean a lack of feeling or emotion but rather the recognition that some things are outside of our control and we should not let them disturb us.
This perspective is because the Stoics believed that the only good things are virtue and wisdom and that external things such as wealth, power, and fame are not truly good. After all, they are not under our control and can be taken away anytime.
Another important aspect of Stoicism is the concept of "virtue ethics," which holds that the best way to live is to cultivate and practice virtues such as wisdom, justice, courage, and self-control. According to the Stoics, living a virtuous life leads to happiness and peace of mind, which is Stoicism's ultimate goal.
The Stoics also believed in the concept of "cosmic reason" or "logos," which is the rational principle that governs the universe. They thought that everything that happens is part of a larger, logical plan and that it is our job to align ourselves with this plan and live by it.
Regarding practical advice, the Stoics recommended focusing on the present moment and not dwelling on the past or worrying about the future. They also recommended practising "negative visualization," which involves imagining the worst-case scenario to appreciate what we have and to be prepared for any challenges that may come our way.
Overall, the wisdom of Stoicism involves:
- Living a life guided by reason and virtue.
- Accepting what is outside of our control.
- Focusing on what is truly important.
It is a philosophy emphasizing the importance of living by nature and cultivating inner peace and contentment.
On the Moonshots Podcast, we recently went deep into stoic wisdom and found six stoic ideas you can start today to be wiser and courageous.
- You have power over your mind. Inspired by Marcus Aurelius and Victor Frankl.
- Discipline leads to joy by Ryan Holiday.
- The happiness of your life depends on the quality of your thoughts. Read by Chris Lines.
- Stoicism is timeless wisdom. Discussed by Gad Saad and Joe Rogan.
- Ryan Holiday gives us the secrets to unlocking courage to grow and how to make progress every day.
- Show up every day and ask if you did your best by Ryan Holiday.