StoLat

I touched on last week the Daily Stoic, Ryan Holiday’s blog on Stoicism, and how it portrays principles of being and staying present. This time around- I wanted to bring light to the effectiveness of the philosophy, as well as getting across to the two different portrayals of being actionable through Stoicism, as well as the carrying use of it.

Stoicism, in a nutshell, is endurance without complaining.  Showing resilience, in the times of adversity. Wisdom, Temperance, Courage, & Justice aligning as its four pillars & at the forefront. The Greeks brought it to light, through Zeno, in the 3rd century BC, however the Romans truly cultivated it. With Seneca and Marcus Aurelius being the main establishers and the architects in the Roman Empire.

Stoicism holds that the key to a good, happy life is the cultivation of an excellent mental state, which the Stoics identified with virtue and being rational. The ideal life is one that is in harmony with Nature, of which we are all part, and an attitude of calm indifference towards external events.

I believe more in applied Stoicism than only the teachings of it for literature or pleasure purposes. (if you are really about pleasure you may want to have a peak at Epicureanism though.) Applied in the sense, because at the end of the day, we are not near our potential without our actions! Some Stoic actions may include martial arts, cold showers, long hikes, or rock climbing, to name a few. Basically, anything that stretches you out of your confront zone, shows you some struggle and allows you to have to really put your best foot forward to prevail. As an act of a philosophy, Stoicism can be used to make you stronger- willed in events of pressure, more rational in times of altercation, and overall greater positioned to withstand the wind that will try take you off your tracks. Stoic principles can lead to a better locus of control, allow you to better guard your time, as well as standing your ground. If you want to take it a step further, I suggest to look to partake in stoic actions that can grow an armor on your skin for your life!