10 Lessons From the Stoics

A Stoic is a man who embraces reason and frees himself from strong emotions. He sees living a meaningful and virtuous life as more important than avoiding discomfort.

He also accepts that fate will come into play in some ways, but not always. This isn’t the kind of begrudging acceptance that some Christians might have done, but a genuine and clear love for fate.

1. Know Yourself

It’s easy to feel like we live in a world that’s different from the ancient Stoics, but if you take a look at the history of their philosophy you can see that many of the same struggles and challenges are still faced today.

Thankfully, their insights can help you understand yourself better and make you a happier person every day. Whether you’re looking to find a new perspective or simply want to improve your attitude, these 12 lessons from the Stoics are sure to inspire you!

It’s important to know your own strengths and weaknesses, to take responsibility for your actions and to not let others dictate how you think or act. This will make you a much more confident person and help you to take care of yourself in the process.

2. Accept the Unchangeable

One of the most important things to do when pursuing a healthier, happier you is to let go of the past and learn to let others in. This will help you get over your hump, and in turn will make you a better, more patient, kinder person. In addition, it will lead to more meaningful relationships, both with yourself and with others. Finally, it will allow you to live a life that is worthy of your best selves, and to enjoy the fruits of your labors.

The most exciting thing about accepting and embracing your unchangeable self is the possibility that you will have the best life ever. It may take a while, but the rewards will be well worth the wait.

3. Focus on What Matters

Failing at something you’re passionate about, feeling unappreciated or rejected by someone you love are all emotions that can be painful. It’s important to know how to accept them so they don’t have an overpowering hold on you.

In Stoic philosophy, suffering is a natural part of life. It’s not a sign of weakness or inability, but rather it’s an opportunity to learn.

The Stoics also understood that passion and other intense emotions were ephemeral. This means that they can’t last forever, and they should be cultivated as a tool to help us focus on what matters.

For the Stoics, being a good person and doing the right thing in each moment were the most important things. This was more than just a matter of ethics, it was a way of living.

4. Accept Suffering and Failure

While most people would agree that it’s important to live a good life, it’s also true that human beings will encounter challenges and suffering along the way. Fortunately, the Stoics offer some insight into how to deal with these situations.

First, they teach that happiness is not the result of a single thing or an individual agent’s efforts (eudaimonist theory). Instead, the good life is the result of a number of different things — including, but not limited to, knowledge and virtue.

For example, Stoics maintain that wealth and health are neither good nor bad - they don’t affect our happiness. Furthermore, they believe that knowledge is necessary and sufficient for achieving happiness. This is a stark contrast to many other eudaimonist theories that emphasize the importance of wealth and other “external goods.”

5. Don’t Let Anger Take Over

Anger is a natural emotion, but it should not be allowed to take over. It is a powerful and destructive emotion that will only lead to more problems and not solve anything.

Anger may be caused by a variety of things, including frustrations, pain, loss, and the unpredictable actions of others. It can also be a sign of depression or anxiety.

As a Stoic, it is important to recognize the signs that you are getting angry and react in a healthier manner. Physical signs such as a tight chest, rapid heartbeat, or sweating can be a good indicator that you are riled up.

One way to control your anger is to practice mindfulness, which helps you keep your mind focused on the present moment. It also helps you avoid negative thinking, which can fuel your anger.

6. Don’t Be Afraid of Death

It’s easy to get caught in a cycle of fear-fueled anxiety, and it can be tough to know how to stop. But you can begin to take a more active approach in working through these fears.

One way to do this is by developing a practice of confronting death in a positive, constructive manner. This might mean reading obituaries from the newspaper or spending time in nature and remembering the many ways in which life is worth living.

Similarly, talking with others about the topic of death can help reduce your own fears. If you have a close friend or family member who has dealt with a loved one’s death, you might find that they can be a good source of support for you.

7. Practice Self-Discipline

When you are self disciplined, you have the ability to control your feelings and desires. You can also motivate yourself to do the things you need to do.

Self discipline is important because it will allow you to achieve your long-term goals. It can also help you manage stress, get better results from your work and boost your relationships.

In addition, it will help you maintain good health and make wise decisions that are beneficial for you and those around you.

It is essential to practice self-discipline regularly and consistently. It can be difficult to do so at first, but with a bit of effort, you will see significant results.

8. Be Kind to Yourself

In addition to being kind to others, it’s important to be kind to yourself. Doing so will improve your mental health and emotional resiliency.

A UK study found that practicing self-compassion exercises like mindfulness and meditation leads to a reduction in stress hormones such as cortisol, reducing the likelihood of weight gain and other health problems.

In contrast, comparing yourself to others, reflecting on mistakes, and harboring a grudge are unkind because they take energy away from doing things that are healthy and beneficial for yourself.

9. Be Kind to Others

Kindness is a powerful and important practice that promotes peace and tolerance. It can reduce stress and lead to better physical and mental health.

It’s a great way to help others, increase your self-esteem and improve your relationships with family and friends. It can also lower the release of stress hormones, such as cortisol.

Practicing kindness as a family is a great way to teach kids about compassion and generosity. It can also encourage them to overcome peer pressure and develop the skills they need to lead a positive life.

There are so many ways to be kind, from showing affection, to giving money and resources, to just being there when someone is having a bad day. It takes a lot of work to be kind, but it can have a big impact on your life and the lives of those you care about.

10. Be Patient

One of the biggest lessons from the Stoics is to be patient. It’s easy to get angry or frustrated when you have a deadline or something goes wrong, but practicing patience can actually help you feel better.

Another great way to practice this is to focus on what you have instead of what you don’t have. Try to find things in your life that you take for granted and then thank yourself each day for them.

The Stoics came from a variety of backgrounds, including teachers and soldiers, poets and senators, slaves and emperors. They embodied the philosophy in their lives and were able to turn the insights they gained from their struggles into practical advice that helps people today live their best lives.