Lachlan Brown
Have you ever felt that life is just too much? It’s like we’re in a race, always trying to do more and be better.
But what if we could find a way to feel calm and peaceful, even when things are tough?
This is where Stoicism comes in. It’s a way of thinking that started a long time ago in places like Greece and Rome.
Stoicism helps us see that we can be happy and calm by changing how we look at life.
Stoicism doesn’t say that life will be perfect. Instead, it teaches us to focus on what we can control and accept what we can’t.
Ready to see life differently? Here are four simple lessons from Stoicism.
They’re not magic tricks that will change everything overnight, but they can help a lot if you practice them regularly.
Let’s get started.
Lesson 1: Embrace What You Can Control
“We should always be asking ourselves: ‘Is this something that is, or is not, in my control?'” – Epictetus
The first and perhaps most powerful lesson from Stoicism is understanding the difference between what we can and cannot control.
Stoic philosophers like Epictetus often emphasized this distinction, pointing out that much of our distress arises from trying to control what is beyond our reach.
When it comes to things we cannot control, such as the weather, other people’s actions, or global events, Stoicism advises us to practice acceptance.
Instead of feeling frustrated or stressed, we can choose to accept these realities and adapt accordingly.
This doesn’t mean giving up or being passive. It’s about recognizing that certain things are beyond our control and choosing not to let them upset us.
On the other hand, Stoicism teaches us to take full ownership of the things we can control. This includes our actions, our responses, and our attitudes.
By taking control of our responses, we become resilient in the face of adversity and keep our peace of mind, no matter what happens externally.
Take a moment to think about your worries. How many of them are related to things you cannot control?
If we reorient our energy towards what is within our control, we could find ourselves becoming more content and composed.
This shift in focus is the first step towards adopting a Stoic approach to life.
Lesson 2: View Obstacles as Opportunities
“Every difficulty in life presents us with an opportunity to turn inward and to invoke our own inner resources. The trials we endure can and should introduce us to our strengths.” – Epictetus
The second Stoic lesson that can reshape our outlook on life is encapsulated in a powerful quote by Marcus Aurelius, a Roman Emperor and Stoic philosopher:
“The impediment to action advances action. What stands in the way becomes the way.”
It seems counterintuitive, but to a Stoic, obstacles aren’t setbacks; they’re opportunities.
Let me share a personal story to illustrate this lesson. I was once working on a project that I was passionate about.
Everything was going smoothly until one day, a key member of the team left unexpectedly. His departure threatened the project, and I felt my enthusiasm waning.
However, I remembered the Stoic lesson about obstacles. Instead of viewing the team member’s departure as a disaster, I started to see it as an opportunity.
It was a chance for me to step up, take on more responsibilities, and learn new skills.
It was hard, but that project became one of the most rewarding experiences of my professional life. The obstacle became my way.
This Stoic wisdom invites us to reframe challenges as opportunities for growth.
When we hit a roadblock, instead of feeling defeated, we can ask ourselves, “What can I learn from this? How can this make me stronger?”
It’s a powerful mindset that can transform our life experience and lead us to a path of continuous self-improvement.
Lesson 3: Cultivate Inner Tranquility
“Man is disturbed not by things, but by the views he takes of them.” – Epictetus
The third stoic lesson lies in the pursuit of ‘ataraxia’, an ancient Greek term meaning undisturbed calm or tranquillity.
According to the Stoics, true contentment comes from inner peace, not from external factors.
Achieving ataraxia requires training ourselves to maintain inner calm, regardless of the chaos that might surround us.
Imagine you’re on a boat in the middle of a stormy sea. You can’t control the storm, but you can learn to steady your boat.
The same applies to our life. We can’t control many of the things that happen to us, but we can control our reactions.
And when we learn to respond to life’s ups and downs with equanimity, we cultivate inner tranquility.
How do we do this? One practical Stoic exercise is to start each day anticipating potential challenges and mentally rehearsing a calm response to them.
Over time, this practice can help us build resilience and maintain our inner peace in the face of life’s storms.
Remember, tranquility is not the absence of problems, but the ability to remain calm within them.
Lesson 4: Live According to Your Values
“Waste no more time arguing what a good man should be. Be one.” – Marcus Aurelius
The fourth lesson from Stoicism is the importance of living in accordance with our values, a principle known as ‘living virtuously’.
The Stoics believed that virtue – defined as wisdom, courage, justice, and moderation – was the highest form of good.
By aligning our actions with these virtues, we can lead fulfilling and meaningful lives.
On a personal level, I remember a time when I was working in a high-paying job that didn’t align with my values.
Despite the financial rewards and social status, I felt deeply dissatisfied.
I realized that I had strayed from my core values, which included making a positive impact and engaging in work that challenged and stimulated me intellectually.
So, I made the difficult decision to leave that job and pursue a career path more aligned with my values.
The transition was challenging and even scary at times. But in the end, it was one of the most rewarding decisions I’ve ever made.
It’s brought me a sense of purpose and satisfaction that no amount of money could buy.
Stoicism teaches us that true happiness and satisfaction come from within – from living a life that is true to our values.
It’s not always the easiest path, but it is the most fulfilling.
If you’re ever unsure of what to do in a situation, turn inward and ask, “What action aligns with my values?”
This Stoic lesson reminds us to stay true to ourselves, even when the world tries to sway us otherwise.
Conclusion
Stoicism, a philosophy from ancient times, offers us profound insights that can transform our modern lives.
It helps us discern what we can control, view obstacles as opportunities, maintain inner tranquility, and live according to our values.
These lessons aren’t always easy to implement, but they offer a powerful shift in perspective that can bring about a deeper sense of peace and fulfillment.
So why not give them a try? After all, the wisdom of Stoicism has stood the test of time, and it might just be the perspective shift you need to navigate the waves of life with grace and serenity.
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