210629 What I learned in my studies this morning

Time to be better.

Endless opportunities

To make improvements.

Daily Stoic:

"If you can't handle me at my worst, you don't deserve me at my best."  What a contemptible lie. 

If I am wrong, I need correction. 

If I am rude, I need to apologize. 

If I am hurtful, physically, mentally, or emotionally, I need to make amends. 

My worst is not who I work to be. I strive to be better than that: to be virtuous, serene, tranquil, gentle, and kind. 

That is who I want to be. That is who I am. That is who I am becoming. 

Today's Meditation:

From A Guide to the Good Life by William B. Irvine:

Chapter 22: Practicing Stoicism 

Irvine offers some advice for those starting along the Stoic path. 

1. Start covertly. People don't understand Stoicism. In fact, they often know of it's only through the misinterpretation that commonly follows the term Stoic in our society. Because of this, many will mock a fledgling Stoic as they begin their journey.

Though Stoics teach us ways to deal with such derision, it's easier to simply begin your Stoic studies quietly, on the sly, so that you can practice them and become fluent in them before testing yourself against such teasing and badgering.

2. Start slowly. There's no need to overwhelm yourself by trying to incorporate all Stoic methods into your life immediately. Pick one, Irvine suggests negative visualization, and work on it. Get a firm grasp on how this aspect works before you move on to additional exercises.