What is Freedom?

"You cannot get out of bed in the morning, and you call this freedom?"

The question posed here is an interesting one - we often view a surplus of time (if there is such a thing) as freedom. Yet are you truly free if you cannot control your own impulses and emotions?

Are you controlled by your internal emotions, driven by the often uncontrollable external factors? Blown along in the winds of life and the Worlds expectations. ??

This is where people often trip up with Stoicism - "Its a lack of emotion, its suppressing your feelings - this is the worst thing you can do for Mental Health".

Stoicism is characterised not by lack of emotion or feeling, but by the CONTROL of that emotion and feeling. What use is it in times of stress or disaster to be ruled by our emotions? When have we made decisions in a passion and been thankful of the outcome? If we have - its more often related to luck than decisive action.

No, we are proud of our decisions when we kept a cool head, thought logically and stepped back to take in the whole picture. Not when we acted in the throes of emotion.         

The question we must ask ourselves is simply this - "Do I stand against the roaring, rushing tide of life? Or am I swept along with the emotions, cares and worries of things of the world far beyond my control?"

You can journal this and you'll likely get an interesting answer from yourselves...??        

I read a fantastic book by Dr. Allan Ropper called "Reaching down the Rabbit Hole", its an incredible insight into life as a neurosurgeon and doctor.

One particular story around degenerative neurological conditions struck me.

There is a story of a man, who has it all - the life he could always have wanted. A great career, children and a loving wife. It was a shock to him as an ex-athlete when we discovered he had ALS (Amyotrophic, Lateral Sclerosis) - characterised by progressive degeneration of the nerve cells in the spinal cord and brain.

The story tells of his journey to live.

He chose not to be defeated by the disease - using his faculties for as long as he could, planning for the eventuality when he would need to be ventilated, living his life.

Eventually his bodily autonomy failed and he lost 99% of his motor functions - essentially locked inside his body. Using only eye blinks and a tiny movement of his knee he continued to be a father for his daughter, live and work.

There is a pivotal passage in the book from the chaps wife that reads - "It takes incredible courage. George is the bravest human being I will ever meet, but I don't think he has ever patted himself on the back about this."

Stoicism personified.

The courage to face such a life altering disease is in comprehensible, but not just to face it, but to do so Stoically. To be uncomplaining and indeed to consider himself to be lucky.

Individuals with characters as rare as this are in short supply - this story personifies the strength of the Stoic values and character.

To accept ones fate as horrible as it may be.

To choose courage and strength - the hard path. When wailing and complaining would be the easier option. (And given the circumstances warranted).

To make a plan and forge ahead - accepting the challenges and facing them down.

To aim to be the very best of humanity in the face of overwhelming odds.

Stoic Affirmation

"At Dawn, when you have trouble getting out of bed, tell yourself - I have to go to work as human being. What do I have to complain of? If I'm going to do what I was born to do - the things I was brought into this world to do? Or is this what I was created for? To huddle under the blankets and stay warm." - Marcus Aurelius

We have days where we lack motivation. Actually we probably lack motivation most days to do things we don't want to do. This is where discipline is the fountain we can drink from.

I do what I ought to do, because if not me then who?        

It matters the daily tasks, weekly chores and the monthly actions. It gives flavour to the earnt relaxation. If all we were to do was stay in our beds - how soon would that become a chore? Earn the rest and it will be ever the sweeter.

The Ascend Management Level Up ????

Regulation ????

If you work in a regulated industry, its imperative your Risk function understands the regulations you're held to. They're the yard sticks upon which we're measured - and if we don't cut the mustard the results can be damaging for customers as well as the business.

Interrogate and understand that which applies to you.

Conduct your due diligence.

Leave nothing to chance.