Daily Stoic(s)

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

Yesterday - Spread The Word

What I like about stoicism over the religions I’ve studied (Luthernism, protestism, baptism) is that it’s not pushy. We’re not meant to preach about the wisdom or guidance. We are to be and if someone comes asking we share. I try to do this with people when there is an opportunity. I’m not preaching it though. People have to want to come and participate or seek answers. Not be manipulated into it. Which is what I see in some religions stratigies for “spreading the word.”

Today - The Benefit of Kindness

We can choose to respond in kindness. I had a situation at the end of the day where someone was asking for something and another person was being asked of that person. I got pulled into the middle. You could tell there was some emotions. I stepped in with some questions to better understand the situation. Admittedly I was a bit frustrated myself with the approach of one side. The other side eventually setup a meeting for us to discuss a solution to the problem and get a better understanding of what’s going on. That is something great about the company I work with is that just about everyone comes into a conversation with trying to get a better understanding instead of a different approach like demanding.

Give People The Benefit of the Doubt

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

I was driving home today from golf. We were cruising down the highway and suddenly people were slamming on their brakes and merging into the lane I was in. There was a copy who had someone pulled over on the road. People in Tennessee often try to get over to the best of their ability. If you can’t you just slow down.

I let the truck in front of me over. The car that was right behind him also tried to get over. The problem was I only had enough room for the truck. I saw the car star getting into my line so I adjusted and moved to the edge of the road out of my lane. My buddy riding with me told me the dude had just flipped me off. I shrugged it off. In the past I may have gotten upset. There was nothing I could really do about it. I had adjusted and we avoided an accident. I didn’t see it.

The other thing was that I gave the person the benefit of the doubt. Maybe they were upset at themselves for not giving enough room in between. Maybe that person didn’t see me in the left lane and noticed it only after they tried to merge. They could be having a bad day. We moved on without further incident.

Don't Get Mad. Help.

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

If someone makes me mad it’s on me not them. Being angry on the inside for what other people are doing even if it’s rude isn’t a good way to use energy. Instead this stoic suggests we politely call it out. We do it with our families and friends. Why not with strangers? There have been times when someone has done something rude and I don’t speak up. I’ve since learned that I can control my own emotions towards that moment. The intriguing thing is if speaking up would help even if it’s awkward. Maybe it doesn’t and we go back to the way things are. At least I tried. I am controlling my emotions after all.

Revenge is a Dish Best Not Served

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

I’ve found that when I try to take revenge on someone I usually end up in a worse position. Even if I got them. I feel pretty shitty for the act. If I don’t get them back, I’m left feeling defeated and a worse spot than before. There is no win in the situation. I haven’t tried to take revenge for a while. Even something as regular as driving. I try to remind myself that the other person is having a bad day or worse is just an awful person and probably has more issues than cutting me off.

Daily Stoic(s)

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

Yesterday - Honesty As Our Default

Working in security I’ve seen the skeletons. Some of those skeletons have been used for political maneuvers. I’ve been left out of those maneuvers because the people involved know I hold honesty as a high quality. I am honest with people and thus have been kept out of things within the company. It’s something I don’t plan to change.

Today - Always Love

Love is a much more powerful tool than anger. Which is unfortunate because there’s not enough love going around on the internet. Social media has spiraled down into a cesspit of hate and anger. It’s why I often stay off it these days. I don’t want that as part of my life.