What Time Off Is For

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

Time off should have purpose. I’m not a big TV watcher. I am however a big video gamer. I think I learn something from the video games I play. I interact with others, laugh and get frustrated with them. I’m also reading a lot more, which I’m finding valuable insights from. I know I could be doing more productive others things. I feel I’m trying to enjoy the life I have. Playing golf with friends. Learning angles, calculations and how to hit the ball better. My daughter is starting to pick the game up and we’re using it as an opportunity to connect. I use video games connect with both of my kids. I hope that’s what an active time off is considered.

The Vulnerability of Dependence

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

We’re all addicted in some way. Some times they’re healthy like fitness activities. Other times it’s addiction to alcohol or even how alcohol makes us feel. I feel like I’ve been dependent on addictions my whole life. Video games, baseball card collecting, cigarettes, alcohol, and on and on. When I tackle one addiction there’s another one right behind it to tackle. Sometimes it takes years.

It Could Happen To You

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

There are good times and there are bad times. We must prepare ourselves for a reversal of fortune. One day a friend may need help. The next it might be me. This is why I try to treat others the way I’d want to be treated. I have a few friends where I’ll buy lunch one day and he buys it the next. We don’t worry about settling up because we know that the other person will return the favor. It all evens out in the end. This is a positive take on the stoic. Which I prefer to thinking about the negative side of things.

The Most Secure Fortress

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

Train habits until the become unconscious. This is something I continually work on. Both in life and in hobbies. In life I’m trying to not let emotion overtake my need for sleep. I tend to want to stay up. That often leads to struggle the next day as I haven’t gotten enough sleep. The hard part is that I can only train once every 24 hours. This means the progress is slow. Which is also why I work on my frustration with these types of things. I’m learning to forgive more and move on.

In hobbies this is similar. Golf is something I’ve picked up. I’m starting to hit the ball straight. I’m also starting to pull the ball more which means I still have some more practice until I can more consistently hit it straight. Like sleep I only get so many swings with the driver or any other club for that matter.

Daily Stoic(s)

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

Yesterday - Maintain Composure, Maintain Control

When something minor disrupts the day, it’s important for me to get a hold of myself and back on track. I feel like this entire week has been that sort of thing. We had a good labor day weekend with a huge interruption. We handled it well. I haven’t handled some of the setbacks I’ve had this week very well. I have high expectations of myself and I think that can throw me off balance as I beat myself up for missteps and failures. I’m trying to learn to slow everything down. Take a breath and regain control. It’s tough. And that is something to keep in mind as well. It’s tough.

Today - No Pain, No Gain

Struggle is what helps us grow. We must see these struggles head on and try to get better. I’ve been struggling a lot in life, particularly in the evening. I like to stay up and play on my computer or watch TV or a movie. This can lead to some late nights that result in me being tired the next day. I’ve worked on this a lot and while it’s getting better I am get a bit frustrated. The comforting thing is that I feel at some point I will be where I want to be with it.