The Art of Living - Issue #24
With less than one month remaining until the start of a new decade I’ve found that this quote by the Greek philosopher Epictetus is resonating with me now more than ever. As I delve into my annual planning process in the coming weeks one thought is sure to be top of mind; Stoicism.
What is Stoicism?
Below is an excerpt from the back cover of Ryan Holiday’s Wall Street Journal Bestseller, The Daily Stoic:
Where can you find true joy? How can you harness the power of reason? What’s the true measure of success? How should we manage anger? Find meaning? Conquer grief? The answers to these questions and more lie at the heart of Stoic philosophy.
Long the secret weapon of history’s great figures, from emperors and fighter pilots to artists and activists, the principles of Marcus Aurelius, Epictetus, and Seneca have shone brightly through the centuries as a philosophy for doers. Tested in the laboratory of human experience over the last two thousand years, this timeless knowledge is essential to navigating the complexities of modern life.
In January of 2019, I adopted a new daily habit that includes reading a passage from The Daily Stoic (#3 on my Top 20 Most Valuable Books) and journaling in its companion volume, The Daily Stoic Journal. To date, this combination has exposed me to 338 meditations on wisdom, perseverance, and the art of living that have made a dramatic positive impact on my life. So much so that I intend to start the journey over once again in 2020.
Care to join me?
Want to learn a little more about Stoicism before investing in the books? Check out The Daily Stoic’s 7 Day Guide to Stoicism for a crash course.
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