Make Stoicism A Habit

Meditations 16 states “Within ten days you will appear a god even to those to whom to-day you seem a beast or a baboon”. Right now people may not have that much of an opinion of you. They may think of you as a beast or a baboon. But with progress you can appear a god if you choose to be a good person. Most likely this cannot be done in ten days but can be done over time. Meditations 17 further shows we do not have time to wait for this. Fate is hanging over your head; while you have life, while you may, become good. Make the best time of the time you have to make improvement. But it is easy to falter. It is easy to quit progress when we think we are failing.

Meditations four 14 and 15 reinforces the concept that there is a seed of reason in all of us. From this there we a part of the greater whole. For each one of us, choices are presented every moment for the small as well as the grand things in our lives.

Meditations 4. 12. shows two ways to find purpose through two guiding principles. The first is to act in the principle of doing what is right for mankind. The second is if you change purpose in life to have someone to guide you like a mentor or teacher. Whatever actions are taken it is to be taken with the idea of the common benefit. But this may not be a popular viewpoint to have. Acting with a purpose means being true to ourselves. The only way of finding your true purpose in life is by refusing to live a life that isn’t centered on getting approval from other people.

Meditation book four verse 11 states "Don't regard things in the light in which he who does the wrong judges them, nor as he wishes you to judge them: but see them as in truth they are." It is easy to make judgements without merit. Making judgements requires us to be more self ware. When we are self aware we can see the truth of any situation. Self-awareness is more than just a helpful life skill. Self-awareness is getting in touch with your feelings, how you react to situations, the way you act, inner thoughts & and more. Self-Awareness is also about tapping into who you are, how you feel, your intuition, and more. Being self-aware gives you a strategic advantage to make better decisions.

Meditations 4.10 shows the importance of goodness in every action.  There is no question. Life nowadays is marked by daily challenges, most of which are a result of the complex economic situation that has led to job scarcity and losses as well as salaries that can barely cover the basics. This is just an example of a common problem in the lives of the general public but we also have failed relationships, broken families, and depression resulting from various factors among other problems. We have so many negative things going on around us and it tends to take away focus from positive things happening in our lives. We try so hard to solve problems or spend time complaining about them to the extent that we turn a blind eye to the beauty of life. We forget one thing, measuring victories can give us hope and help us cope with life’s challenges. Measuring goodness in everyday life includes identifying even the ‘smallest’ of good things happening or that have happened around you or in your life and also celebrating or appreciate them.

Meditations 4 7 about removing the judgement you are hurt and the hurt goes away seems simple enough. It is not things but our judgement of things that affect us is an essential teaching. But how do we do this when we are bombarded by things that affect us?  The world that we are living in today is anything but peaceful and predictable. It seems that every day there is some new tragedy or cause for fear that demands every ounce of our attention. These incidences come from every direction and in all shapes and sizes.

There is a great article written recently on the Forge publication on the site medium by writer Amy Shearn titled What Happened When I Went Full Stoic. In it there is a fantastic section detailing how Stoicism was made for times like this. Meditations book 4.5 is especially made for times like this. We avoid death but as Marcus Aurelius writes this is not a thing of which man should be ashamed. Death should be embraced as a certainty by reasonable creatures. Even in the face of the Coronavirus we can still adjust and live a full life

Think of some phrases in Meditations 4.4. Reason is common to us which makes us rational beings. The universe is a kind of community. We all have reason. We can use reason for the common good. One place we can start is respecting each other. Everyone wants to feel respected. Respect allows one to perform better in their career, build better relationships, and gain confidence. One of the most important ways to gain respect is to focus on others rather than yourself. This will allow you to be trusted and credible.

Meditations 4.3 is a classic passage about how we can retreat into ourselves to find stillness. We all know how draining things can be. Life is overwhelming! Sometimes it seems hopeless. Sometimes you feel helpless. Sometimes it seems as though inner peace is an impossibility. Dispel those fears right now  with the practices necessary to turn inner peace into a habit. In no time, it will just be another part of your day.

The most important thing about knowing your purpose is that it will give you the strength you need to persevere, keep on trying, and get back up each time you fall. Knowing who you are meant to be and the impact you can have in the world will keep you moving forward despite unpromising circumstances or opposition. Knowing your purpose will give you peace in life. Peace with yourself, peace with your purpose, peace with your methods, and peace in everything you do.