I am blogging everyday (or nearly everyday) on The Daily Stoic.
Being ready for hardship. It’s going to happen. There are ebbs and flows to life. Ups and downs. The ups are nice and the downs frustrating. I should be more prepared for the downs. To accept them and make do with what I can.
I am blogging everyday (or nearly everyday) on The Daily Stoic.
I am my capacity for choosing well. This is something I’m continuing to work on. Making good reasoned choices.
This is something I’ve had to come to terms with. I’ve written a lot about work lately and at the end of the day how I am responding is on me. It’s not on other people. It’s an opportunity to improve because I did recognize that in the moment it was on me but I had a hard time practicing it.
I’m in a much better state mentally. I think some of that has to do with weather because it’s always around this time that I get grumpy. That’s something to recognize as well. Outside factors that don’t cause me to respond negatively. They can be a contributing factor. Recognizing that I think will help the next go around.
I am blogging everyday (or nearly everyday) on The Daily Stoic.
I’ve enjoyed trying to play in the moment. I think gratitude is something that helps with that. Taking a moment to appreciate the situation and place. I love doing this when I golf. I enjoy the nature. Today I saw a bunch of turtles in the water. It was cool and allows for my mind to calm.
That capacity for logic and reason is something to appreciate. Not everyone has it. I have to remind myself of this when I’m driving. I don’t do a very good job of it at work either. There are things I understand and see that others don’t.
I am blogging everyday (or nearly everyday) on The Daily Stoic.
I’m starting to think about some of the others that influence me. It’s kind of like the phrase, “what would Jesus do.” I have friends and historical figures that this applies. My friends are both older and younger. I think the young can provide valuable insight. Reading about Churchill’s life made me realize that he had a lot of what I’m figuring out now at a younger age.
Work is not something I feel motivates or drives me. I’ve recognized it has it’s own trappings. Climbing the ladder means more BS. I’m not sure I want that. I’m happy where I’m at. I’m starting to rethink that though because I can be forced into things because of my title.
Positive intent comes to mind with this stoic. It’s hard to keep this in mind because we look for the negative. This is why news and “reality” TV thrive. They’re all about conflict that’s negative. We do get positive news, every once and a while. It has to be extraordinary and amazing.
I am working on assuming more positive intent. Work is a big one. That’s why stepping back from a situation that causes strong negative emotions is important.
I often get focused on my own plan and desires. I forget others have their own. I am going to run into less than desirable situations. Getting emotional or vindictive does little. Instead I should be more flexible. Go with the flow. Things have a habit of coming back around.
“…ego is the sworn enemy of our ability to learn and grow.” This is powerful because my ego can step in the way quite often. I need to remember that when it does this is an opportunity to learn rather than get upset.
I am blogging everyday (or nearly everyday) on The Daily Stoic.
Thursday - Awareness Is Freedom
How many obligations do I really have? This is something I’ve tried to keep in mind. I feel as if a lot of my choices now are based on what really matters. I feel like I need to get there at work as well. Is what I’m doing really an obligation or something I’ve self-imposed on myself?
Friday - Cutting Back On The Costly
We bought a small house to reduce the amount stuff we have. We’ve still managed to fill it with stuff that probably isn’t needed. It’s still kept some things out of the house that we would’ve bought.
Yesterday - Don’t Tell Yourself Stories
To be a conversationalist you have to put the focus on others. This is something I feel I’ve gotten out of habit. It’s actually quite satisfying to focus on others in a conversation. It makes them feel good and that in turn can make me feel good.
Today - Don’t Trust the Senses
There’s an aspect of what I want to do and what I really don’t need to do. I’ve felt this talking myself into different things. I can be very persuasive and that can lead to a less than ideal outcome.
