It’s Not As Unfortunate As It Seems
The Daily Stoic24 Touko 2019

It’s Not As Unfortunate As It Seems

Things we didn’t want to happen happen to all of us. A business deal falls through. A grade comes back that we didn’t expect. A person we care about leaves us. Our instinct is to call these events unfortunate.

Which makes sense. It’s fortunate when you get what you want, it’s unfortunate when, for whatever reason, you don’t. Right?

Marcus Aurelius proposed a different way of looking at things. Instead of telling ourselves that we’re unfortunate because our expectations were disappointed, we should do the opposite:

“No it's fortunate that this has happened and I've remained unharmed by it -- not shattered by the present or frightened of the future. It could have happened to anyone. But not everyone could have remained unharmed by it.”

To a Stoic, we’re only harmed when our character is affected. We’re only harmed when we let go of what we believe in or when we drop our own standards. It might not be desirable to lose money or a friend, to fail at something or to be criticized, but how does that make us unfortunate? We haven’t been deprived of our ability to respond. Our character remains intact.

There’s no rule that says you have to freak out about this or shattered by it or that you have to start getting anxious about the future. No, you’re still in control. You’re still you.

That’s very fortunate.


See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Jaksot(2925)

The Lie That Keeps You Feeling Behind Every Single Day | Oliver Burkeman

The Lie That Keeps You Feeling Behind Every Single Day | Oliver Burkeman

Most productivity advice promises that if you just find the right system, you’ll finally catch up. In today’s episode, Ryan sits down with Oliver Burkeman who explains why that feeling never arrives a...

14 Tammi 58min

Beware Lost Footsteps

Beware Lost Footsteps

Our feet will always move in the direction of our focus. So look where you want to go. Stay focused on the path, keep moving forward, one foot in front of the other.👉 Support the podcast and go deepe...

14 Tammi 2min

This Is It, Isn’t It? | Circle of Control

This Is It, Isn’t It? | Circle of Control

Focus on what you can control. Keep your cool. Do the right thing. Be brave. Because if you’re not going to do it now, when will you?📔 Pick up your own leather bound signed edition of The Daily Stoic...

13 Tammi 8min

Who Decides Who Gets What? | What Young Men Get Wrong About Stoicism

Who Decides Who Gets What? | What Young Men Get Wrong About Stoicism

You went to school. You worked hard. You sacrificed. You got really good at what you do. And yet…despite this success, this track record, this leverage you have, your life is so backwards.👉 Support t...

12 Tammi 10min

26 Stoic Rules to Survive an Uncertain 2026

26 Stoic Rules to Survive an Uncertain 2026

The year ahead is unknown, but one thing you can control is how you show up. In this episode, Ryan breaks down 26 timeless Stoic rules you can rely on when things feel overwhelming, chaotic, or out of...

11 Tammi 24min

Why You’re Not as Hard to Manipulate as You Think | Rebecca Lemov

Why You’re Not as Hard to Manipulate as You Think | Rebecca Lemov

Most people think manipulation only works on other people. That belief is exactly what makes it dangerous. In this episode, Ryan sits down with historian and human behavior expert Rebecca Lemov to tal...

10 Tammi 1h 5min

Can You Get Inside? | The Top Books Ryan Holiday Recommends

Can You Get Inside? | The Top Books Ryan Holiday Recommends

Marcus Aurelius wrote about how the philosopher is one with their weapon—like a boxer, more than a swordsman. A boxer just clenches their fist. A fencer has to pick something up. Through repetition, t...

9 Tammi 16min

That’s What It’s Made For | Ask Daily Stoic

That’s What It’s Made For | Ask Daily Stoic

You probably wish you didn’t have to. Of course, you didn’t want it to happen. It would be nicer if things went as planned. As we’ve said before, this is what we trained for! 🎟️ Come see Ryan Holiday...

8 Tammi 9min

Suosittua kategoriassa Liike-elämä ja talous

sijotuskasti
mimmit-sijoittaa
rss-rahapodi
psykopodiaa-podcast
herrasmieshakkerit
rss-lahtijat
leadcast
rahapuhetta
rss-seuraava-potilas
ostan-asuntoja-podcast
inderespodi
rss-rahamania
rss-porssipuhetta
rss-laakispodi
rss-vaikuttavan-opettajan-vierella
rss-karon-grilli
rss-juurisyy-johtamisesta-kilpailuetua
rss-40-ajatusta-aanesta
rss-porssipodi
rss-johtoajatuksia