There's Nothing Wrong With being Wrong

I am blogging everyday (or nearly everyday) on The Daily Stoic.

“When someone points out a legitimate flaw in your belief or in your actions, they’re not criticizing you. They’re presenting a better alternative.”

This is a good line to keep in mind. The example for this I have is that I recently talked about a topic at a town hall. I made some incorrect comments. Or at least some comments that were nitpicked and while I was speaking in general terms the critique was accurate. It was a bit of a gray area. Or so I thought. Upon re-evaluation I came to accept that I screwed up. It wasn’t with out anger and rage at being called out though. Eventually I came to terms with the fact that I had screwed up and the best way forward was to accept it and move on.

Criticism can be tricky. It’s valued from people we respect and admire. It’s not so valued from people we have a problem with or tend to hand out misinformed criticism. Criticism should be respected though because it gives us to re-evaluate our self and find that alternative and better us.

A Productive Use For Contempt

I am blogging everyday (or nearly everyday) on The Daily Stoic.

Today’s stoic is something I often think about. Staging social media photos to make you look the best in lighting. I just did it today when I shaved my beard multiple times. I was doing it for the laughs at a weekly virtual happy hour we do. I figure by the time we go back to work, I’ll have regrown my beard so why not. I can bring a little joy to the group, family, and friends. They haven’t seen me ever without a beard (the wife has but that’s a long time ago. P.S. she didn’t like the exercise). Some of my shots on video and pictures I tried to find the most ideal lighting. I also tried to hide the double chin that would show from time to time.

The other example the give is some hot single person. Think Jennifer Aniston. She’s dated some of the hottest men on the planet. Yet never settles down with any of them. Is it them or is it her. While we might thing we know what we want sometimes the reason we don’t have it is because it’s too much of hassle.

The Mind is All Ours

I am blogging everyday (or nearly everyday) on The Daily Stoic.

The mind is ours and ours alone. We should treat it right. I find that balance difficult. I know it needs a challenge and exercise. Doesn’t it also need a little R&R. A break from the constant thinking and worrying about things? Sometimes a dumb action movie is enjoyable. Some times letting it breath the fresh air or getting stupid is fun. I know it’s not the right thing, but is the right thing to live in a state of constant peace. Don’t we learn from chaos? These are all things that I think about and some times I just want it shut off.

The Marks of a Rational Person

I am blogging everyday (or nearly everyday) on The Daily Stoic.

Fairly simple stoic. Look inwards. Examine ourselves critically. Make our own decisions without biases or popular notions. I feel like I do the first two quite a bit. As I’m reading it though I’m reminded of a previous stoic. Or maybe it’s the buddhism book I’m reading. We must forgive ourselves. If we make poor decisions the day before we must be willing to forgive ourselves. It’s really helped me lately because I expect a lot of myself and often fall short. Examining ourselves critically doesn’t mean we beat ourselves up. Instead we examine our inner self and some times that may require compassion.

Don't Let Your Attention Slide

I am blogging everyday (or nearly everyday) on The Daily Stoic.

Attention is what allows us to get things done. Cal Newport’s book Deep Work highlighted that to me. I’m since turned off as many notifications as possible. I’ve turned on do not disturb on my phone during sleeping hours. Yet still I’m pulled in different directions TV shows, video games, kids, etc. They can all be distractions in our daily life. When I’m working I have to fight the urge to check my email constantly. I try to check it only three times a day. I often check it double that because I don’t like the current task I’m working on.