210709 What I learned in my studies this morning

Well, it's been a week.

Practicing my Stoic calm

Has been a challenge.

Daily Stoic:

This applies to leaders of whatever stripe.  In my case, I lead my family.  That's as far as it goes.  Why?  Because I deliberately do NOT want to lead anyone else.

Aside from being an introvert at heart (though I can put on my extrovert clown suit and perform if I must), I genuinely want to leave other people alone.

If someone else is peacefully living their life, even a life I disagree with and would not choose for myself, then I have, should have, no say in what they do. It's their life; so long as they are not harming others, they can do as they please.

I desire the same from others: if I am being peaceful, neither harming or encroaching upon the lives nor property of others, then I expect them to stay the hell out of my business.

I have, and expect others do too, trouble enough directing my own life.  Why on Earth would I want to take on the onus of managing other people's lives as well?

The fact that I am beset on all sides by orders from "authorities" which involve people  placing burdens upon me, using the force of gov't to coerce me into acting in ways I would not choose, is a constant source of Stoic practice for me.

Today's Meditation:

From A Calendar of Wisdom by Leo Tolstoy

Daily Shakespeare: