240809 What I learned in my studies this morning 4
Today's Meditation(s): Discourses , 4.12.20-21 (Waterfield) Every time I fail, I lose that opportunity to live properly forever again.
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240808 What I learned in my studies this morning 4
Today's Meditation(s): Essays , Book II, 8 - Father's Affections for their Sons: Back to Relations of Fathers to Children (a) “Whom was I keeping it for, that knowledge of the special love I harbored for him in my soul! Should he not have felt all the pleasure of it, and all the bonds of gratitude? I forced myself, I tortured myself, to keep up that silly mask, thereby losing the joy of his company—and his good will as well, which must have been cold towards me: he had never received from me anything but brusqueness or knowing anything but a tyrannous facade.” Monsieur de Monluc to Montaigne after losing his son I think I tell my children I love them enough that they know it. More, I think I demonstrate my love for them in how I treat them. I think they know. Surely they know. Of course they know. I need to go tell them again.
240807 What I learned in my studies this morning 4
Today's Meditation(s): Discourses , 4.12.7-9 (Waterfield) What is up to me and what is not up to me. If I am doing it right, tranquility is mine.
240806 What I learned in my studies this morning 4
Today's Meditation(s): Discourses , 4.12.4-5 (Waterfield) "Paying attention" means, in this case, keeping constantly in mind Stoic principles such that I would always follow Nature in my actions. The final sentence of the passage reminds me of something I talk with my kids about every time I get the chance: dealing with the world as it is rather than as I wish it were . I help them learn to face unpleasant things face on rather than pretending they don't exist. That if they want their best chance at success, the way to be their most effective in whatever they need to do next, they need to accept that life is the way it is right now and they are actively sabotaging themselves if they do anything other than deal with reality as it is. Got a flat tire? Which is more effective? Getting out of the car and changing it or whining and crying about it? Sure, you could do both, but one will get you where you were going a lot faster. (Does that mean I can't be m...
240805 What I learned in my studies this morning 4
Today's Meditation(s): Seneca: On Tranquility of Mind 2.4 (Stewart) The goal is tranquility of mind, according to Seneca. So it's not the new car. Or the house. Or the dinner out. Or the new shirt. Or the new game. Or the attention and fame. Or the 'on sale mega pack' of powerups for that game that sucks too much time. Nothing thingy about it. So what does Seneca say about achieving this mythical state? Philosophy. Do not want too much. Choose good friends. Curb appetites and passions. Find balance. Follow Nature.
240804 What I learned in my studies this morning 4*
Today's Meditation(s): Discourses , 4.10.36 (Waterfield) This about Hercules. Even the son of Zeus, a demigod, paragon of strength and courage, was unhappy when he took something not up to him to be good and it was denied him.
240803 What I learned in my studies this morning 4**
Today's Meditation(s): Discourses , 4.10.30 (Waterfield) I choose for myself. I don't get to choose for anyone else. And if somehow I were able to choose for others, I would not. I don't want to control someone else. I just want to control myself.
240802 What I learned in my studies this morning 4
Today's Meditation(s): Discourses , 4.10.26 (Waterfield) Because things external are indifferent and I place no value in them. This is spilled. Clean it up. Get a new one, if necessary. This is broken. Repair it, replace it, or do without. This is burned. Trash it and move on. Things are not important. Things are not important. Things are not important. Things are not important. Things are not important. Let this be my mantra for today.
240801 What I learned in my studies this morning 4
Today's Meditation(s): Discourses , 4.10.12-13 (Waterfield) If I die performing a worthy act, one which sees me helping others or improving myself or making a difference, then I should die happily despite the circumstances. I don't know that I can pull that off, but I know it's something for me to work on so that I can be closer to that goal when the time comes.
240731 What I learned in my studies this morning 4*
Today's Meditation(s): Discourses , 4.9.14-15 (Waterfield) I needed this. I have a tendency to get down on myself for my failures and, while not despairing, it wears down my will and saps my drive. Fall down seven times. Get up eight.
240730 What I learned in my studies this morning 4
Today's Meditation(s): Discourses , 4.8.1-2 (Waterfield) He who wants less, and wants what he gets, is unbothered, calm, satisfied, free.
240729 What I learned in my studies this morning 4
Today's Meditation(s): Discourses , 4.9.1-2 (Waterfield) Not the man who has everything but he who wants nothing is truly wealthy indeed.
240728 What I learned in my studies this morning 4
Today's Meditation(s): Discourses , 4.8.8-9 (Waterfield) People don't have a frame of reference for philosophy — they don't know what it is to do philosophy well or to be a philosopher — so they judge by appearance only. With singers and carpenters, they've been aware of the skills necessary to succeed in those professions for a long time. They can compare the current example in front of them to a host of previous versions and see which is better. With philosophy, they've maybe never even met one, much less been taught how to appraise their success. Is it any surprise that they fail so badly at identifying good and bad? But what do I care? This is not up to me.
240727 What I learned in my studies this morning 4
Today's Meditation(s): Discourses , 4.7.31-32 (Waterfield) If I am my carcass. Stop trying to frighten me. I know better. Defiance, Part III : Daughter of the Bride of the Revenge of the Reckoning of Epictetic Bugaloo!
240726 What I learned in my studies this morning 4*
Today's Meditation(s): Discourses , 4.7.18 (Waterfield) What's that to me? Like ' bring it on ', this is disdain for what doesn't matter, for picayune, trivial points beneath notice. This is true freedom. Their power be damned, be outside of that now. Nothing can harm that which is integral. Nothing can breach the Inner Citadel.
240725 What I learned in my studies this morning 4**
Today's Meditation(s): Discourses , 4.7.13 (Waterfield) Bring it on. I like that, the translation that is. Matter of fact, yet defiant. Defiant yet accepting. This is no soft begging, no 'why me'. This is daring personified. This is strength. This is purpose and perfect control.
240724 What I learned in my studies this morning 4
Today's Meditation(s): Discourses , 4.6.23-24 (Waterfield) I have that impulse. To explain why I'm right and they're wrong. To show I'm better. To make people think more of me. To 'be' superior. How foolish! How burlesque! How wretched!
240723 What I learned in my studies this morning 4
Today's Meditation(s): Discourses , 4.6.12 (Waterfield) 'I'm in this photo and I don't like it.' Why aren't I at peace? Why aren't I tranquil and equanimous? Why do I feel stress and anxiety and depression and fear? Why don't I figure it *** **** out? Because I don't really believe it? Because I still feel afraid of losing my job or my family having a problem. Because, while I'm pretty good at not wanting big, expensive, flashy things, I'm terrible about not giving up ' the 10000 things ' the peck and pick at my wallet and my sanity.
240722 What I learned in my studies this morning 4
Today's Meditation(s): Discourses , 4.6.6 (Waterfield) I spent years in acedemic philosophy. I have been seriously reengaged with philosophy, and Stoicism more specifically, for several years. I am a professional communicator. I have a gift for words that sometimes expresses itself. And yet, if I try to explain something to others, I'm dumb. I'm mute. Worse, I'm not mute and screw it up spectacularly. I fear I have done more to harm the spread of knowledge than anything I've done to promote it. Best to stick to trying to convince myself.
240721 What I learned in my studies this morning 4*
Today's Meditation(s): Discourses , 4.5.22 (Waterfield) The opinions of others are not up to me. They are not good or bad. If people don't understand, that's as may be, but it's not up to me.
240720 What I learned in my studies this morning 4
Today's Meditation(s): Discourses , 4.4.46 (Waterfield) Progress counts. If I backslide tomorrow, that is an error I will work on, but, for today, if I have made progress in divining what is up to me, if I've made proper use of my reason to follow Nature, if I've managed my assent well, then I may be content with my status as prokoptôn and continue on my path.
240719 What I learned in my studies this morning 4
Today's Meditation(s): Letters on Ethics to Lucilius , 13.16 (Graver and Long) "The fool is always getting ready to live." How many things am I leaving unfinished, or un-really-started-on, because I vacillate to some new shiny that catches my attention? Remember those plans to show the kids Subject A and discuss Topic 3? Or the ones to stop buying X and Y and Z? Or to stop chasing the high of that perfect LMNO I had that one magical time? Or to eat better and set a good example? Or to teach the kids how to exercise? Ohh watuhfoo liam.
240718 What I learned in my studies this morning 4
Today's Meditation(s): Discourses , 4.3.11 (Waterfield) Do the next right thing. Discern what is up to me and what is not up to me and do the next right thing. Keep my principles first and foremost and do the next right thing. Be a citizen of the world and do the next right thing. Fill my purpose with kindness and do the next right thing. This way I can find tranquility and contentment, be useful and generous, spread love and peace.
240717 What I learned in my studies this morning 4
Today's Meditation(s): Discourses , 4.2.2-4 (Waterfield) I've been very lucky that my friends mostly have a philosophical bent to them and thus don't object to my attempts at practicing Stoicism. As for the rest, it either doesn't come up or my behavior hasn't been objectionable. In fact, more than one has expressed interest and questioned me about my studies. It's been wonderful to know such people and count them as part of my Circle of Preferred Indifferents.
240716 What I learned in my studies this morning 4
Today's Meditation(s): Daily Stoic 240716 I must control myself, focus my reason and my will, and find Nature's path through the challenge. I have Frankl's freedom, the space between stimulus and response. I have philosophy to stymie rash decisions made under the spell of passion. Nothing is gained from reacting when action is what's needed.