The Daily Stoic1 Tammi 2020

All We Control Is The Beginning of Things

Clearly the Stoics were doers. They ran for public office. They fought in the army. They started business ventures. They created artistic works. How can this fit, though, with what Marcus called “the art of acquiescence?” Isn’t this resignation a contradiction? If you believe in a kind of predetermination, why bother?

Perhaps the way through this puzzle is best captured in a quote from Democritus, a pre-Socratic philosopher admired by the Stoics (Seneca most of all). Democritus said, “Boldness is the beginning of action. But fortune controls how it ends.”

What that means is that the Stoic believes in their power to, say, write a book, but not in their power to determine whether people will like it or buy a lot of copies of it. A Stoic will fight bravely in battle but know that the outcome is determined by so many other things. They will run for office, they will start a business, they will compete in an athletic event—but whether they win? That’s not up to them. Whether they give it their best, boldest, and hardest effort? Well, that is.

That’s the message for today—in fact, it’s the perfect message for today, as we begin a new year and a new decade. All we control are the beginnings of things. We control how we start. We control our first move. Whether we say hello to a pretty stranger, but not whether they reciprocate. We can make the pitch, or the apology, but fortune controls whether its accepted. We can plan the trip, but not when or if we arrive. We control this first minute of the long year ahead.

It’s not a lot...but it’s enough, so let’s do it right. Let’s do it boldly.

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

Tämä jakso on lisätty Podme-palveluun avoimen RSS-syötteen kautta eikä se ole Podmen omaa tuotantoa. Siksi jakso saattaa sisältää mainontaa.

Jaksot(2985)

This is a Service

Maybe you don’t think it’s making much of a difference. Maybe it’s terrifying and exhausting. Maybe it’s costing you a lot—friends, followers, peace of mind. Still, it is worth doing.📚 The Stoic Vir...

20 Touko 2min

Empathy Is Not Weakness | Will Guidara

Empathy is not the opposite of Stoic strength. It’s part of what keeps that strength from becoming coldness. In today’s episode, Ryan talks with Will Guidara, author of Unreasonable Hospitality, about...

20 Touko 1h 3min

They Give You Direction for Life | The Stoic Secret to Finding Real Joy

The four virtues serve as a compass for how to act, who to be, and how to respond in any situation. Have we found anything better?📚 The Stoic Virtues Series teaches the timeless principles of Coura...

19 Touko 17min

This is What Money Is Jealous Of | The Stoic Is A Work In Progress

You think they have everything they could possibly want. But the rich, the powerful? They are actually incredibly jealous people.💡The Wealthy Stoic: A Daily Stoic Guide to Being Rich, Happy, and Free...

18 Touko 7min

How To Think Better in the Age of AI (From the Stoics)

In today’s episode, Ryan shares timeless lessons from the ancients on how to ask better questions, think more clearly, and make the most of AI without losing your ability to discern what’s true.🎥 Wat...

17 Touko 32min

Gavin Newsom on Ego, Power, and Stoicism

The real test of philosophy is not what it teaches us in quiet moments, but what it demands from us when power, pressure, and ego enter the room. In today’s episode, Ryan talks with Gavin Newsom, the ...

16 Touko 39min

This Is How You Release Your Anxiety | Quality Over Quantity

Think about what your anxiety costs you. Think about it honestly and painfully. 🪙 We are the creators of our anxiety. Which means we can also be the ones to do something about it. Gain a powerful too...

15 Touko 5min

How Much Is Left? | The Stoic Protocol for Your Next Zoom Call

What’s left of Stoicism today is, if anything, more robust than it was in the ancient world.💡 Modern Stoics are parents, athletes, entrepreneurs, soldiers, artists, students. They are busy, curious, ...

14 Touko 12min