Armor Up… with Stoicism!

A couple of years ago I stumbled on the concept of Stoic philosophy (or Stoicism) when reading Derren Brown’s fantastic book; Happy… which is well worth a read if you get a chance!

I’m generally not the type of person who sits around reading about philosophy but I couldn’t help but be grabbed by the concept/s, primarily because it’s a type of philosophy that is designed for everyone, and for everyday living. It's extremely easy to understand and the interesting thing is that, even though it was ideated over 2000 years ago, the concepts still hold true today!

To break it down, Stoicism is an ancient Greek philosophy that rose to popularity in and through the Roman Empire, developed by thinkers such as Epictetus, Marcus Aurelius, and Seneca. At its core, it's the practice of distinguishing between what is within our control (our thoughts, actions, and attitudes) and what is not (external events, other people's actions, etc). The idea is that by directing our energy toward what we can influence and accepting the rest with equanimity, we free ourselves from unnecessary stress and frustration. This mindset shift can also allow us to focus on tasks with clarity and purpose, rather than getting bogged down by factors beyond our control.?

Furthermore, Stoicism encourages individuals to cultivate virtues such as courage, wisdom, and self-discipline. Embodying Stoic virtues can inspire trust and respect among others and help us to contribute positively to our communities and workplaces. ?

Stoicism also promotes the practice of negative visualization, which involves contemplating worst-case scenarios to prepare ourselves mentally and emotionally for potential setbacks. While this may seem pessimistic, it serves a practical purpose by reducing the fear of failure and increasing resilience in the face of adversity. This approach can help us navigate challenges with a calm and rational mindset, enabling us to problem-solve effectively and adapt to changing circumstances.?Don't think of this as catastrophizing, more like critical thinking to avoid pitfalls.

Here are some of my favorite quotes from Stoic philosophers which I hope will help to highlight some of the key principles:

?1. Epictetus: "Happiness and freedom begin with a clear understanding of one principle: Some things are within our control, and some things are not."?

2. Marcus Aurelius: "You have power over your mind - not outside events. Realize this, and you will find strength."?

3. Seneca: "We suffer more often in imagination than in reality."?

4. Epictetus: "It's not what happens to you, but how you react to it that matters."?

5. Marcus Aurelius: "The happiness of your life depends upon the quality of your thoughts."?

6. Seneca: "Luck is what happens when preparation meets opportunity."?

7. Viktor Frankel: "The last of the human freedoms - to choose one's attitude in any given set of circumstances"

8. Marcus Aurelius: "The best revenge is to be unlike him who performed the injury."?

9. Seneca: "Difficulties strengthen the mind, as labor does the body."?

10. Viktor Frankel: "When we are no longer able to change a situation, we are challenged to change ourselves."

Perhaps it was serendipity (who can say?) but this philosophy also came to me during a difficult time in my life when I had to navigate a lot of change in a short space of time - some of that change was imposed on me, some of it was my own choice. I can say for sure though that leaning into the principles of Stoicism helped me a lot during those times, and I know they will continue to serve as North Star if and when I find myself in difficult waters again. I hope they can serve you in a similar way!