A Month into The Daily Stoic: Reflections
Well, we’re a month into the new year, and that means one month into reading “The Daily Stoic.”
I thought it would be fun to share my insights each month and how the past month’s concepts can apply to my daily life.
Almost like notes to myself.
Reading this book has had a meditative effect, although I’m not quite sure what to make of it yet, it has been a great way to start the day.
It feels a lot like reading a daily devotional from my past church days 🤣. For those who may have come from a religious background, you’ll understand what I mean.
January’s theme is Clarity.
Every month is split into different themes and I hazard to guess it’s been structured that way to best introduce you to the core Stoic concepts. Providing the foundation to delve deeper as you progress.
So of course, clarity will help!
Stoicism promotes three core concepts: Wisdom, Action, and Acceptance.
🎓 Wisdom
Wisdom is about having perception and valuing the pursuit of knowledge. It’s understanding that, ultimately, knowledge — especially self-knowledge — is freedom.
It’s your thinking creating the perceptions of events leading to your emotions and actions.
We create our own reality through our interpretations and perceptions, so it’s important to know that we have the power to make a situation good or bad.
To gain wisdom, we can look to mentors, continue a thirst for knowledge, and learn from those who have come before us.
Take the time to reflect and deepen your understanding of the Stoic philosophy.
🏃♀️Actions
Actions are about knowing our course and taking action, even if we fear it.
Just begin the work. As Marcus Aurelius says, “Begin the work of being human”
Take pride in having no opinion on everything else and reflect inwardly each day.
Live each day like it’s our last.
💙Acceptance
Acceptance is not just accepting fate, but loving it.
“Amor Fati”
Have an extreme love affair with reality (hello science 🙂 ) and find beauty and gratitude in how things are.
We should accept our own failures and addictions, and own them. They are in our control. So take action!
Remember that it’s always possible to start again, each day, each minute.
“Philosophy is simply asking us to pay careful attention and to strive to be more than a pawn”
So I’m looking forward to February — All about Passions and Emotions
hint: which we know how to control now 😉