Today's Meditation: Stoicism isn’t about being appreciated. It’s not about fitting in. It’s about doing what’s right. It’s about saying what needs to be said. It’s about being who you feel you need to be. So if you’re waiting for your friends to understand you, if you’re holding back until you get approval from family members or colleagues, if you think your entire audience will get on board…you’re waiting for something that may never come. Do what you believe is right. Do what you believe is just. The rest isn’t up to you. ~ The Daily Stoic 260325 It's not going to make me rich. Except by coincidence. It's not going to make me popular. Except by accident. It's not going to make me smarter. Except as I follow Nature. Do it for the inner reward. Do it because I need to set an example for my kids. Do it that I may be unashamed of the man in the glass .

Today's Meditation: In the book Illusions by Richard Bach, there's a scene where the protagonist and his spiritual guide are discussing freedom. The guide, Donald, tells our hero that, " We are all free to do whatever we want to do. ” The main character offers a proviso: “Almost. You forgot a pretty important part,” I said. “Oh?” “We are all free to do what we want to do, as long as we don’t hurt somebody else,” I chided. Shortly thereafter, following the brief appearance of an ersatz vampire, Don continues: “The thing that puzzles you,” he said, “is an accepted saying that happens to be impossible. The phrase is hurt somebody else . We choose, ourselves, to be hurt or not to be hurt, no matter what. Us who decides. Nobody else. My vampire told you he’d be hurt if you didn’t let him? That’s his decision to be hurt, that’s his choice. What you do about it is your decision, your choice: give him blood; ignore him; tie him up; drive a stake of holly through his heart. If he ...

Today's Meditation: They want to go swimming, but it’s a little cold. They’re suddenly asking about their rollerblades, which you just put away in the garage. They’re asking about playing in the snow, but it’s a pain to get all that winter gear on. They asked to go to the park, even though you don’t have much time. In short, they’ve asked to go spend time outside…and you have a problem with that? Are you insane?  - Daily Dad 260324 Guilty. This counts for music, reading, thinking, and and of the million other -ings I want them to do. Why on Earth do I grouse and moan that it inconveniences me when I have been begging them to do this stuff day in and day out forever? Pick FFS. Pick better.

Today's Meditation: Fortune behaves as she pleases, the Stoics said. Life disposes. It decides. The only thing we get a choice in is how we respond. Daily Stoic 260323 Make the choice. Don't let the default become the inevitable. Get active. Use my tools. Act .

Today's Meditation: Meditations , 7.68 (Hicks and Hicks) I tell my kids that Stoicism does not guarantee success. Properly excerised, it offers me the best chance of being as effective I possibly can. I'll be calmer. I'll make clearer decisions. I'll have a better chance of guiding my elephant rather than it bringing reason along for the ride.