The above was a sign on Harry Truman’s desk. Nice touch. But it goes beyond being the President. We may not be responsible for a whole country. But we are always responsible for ourselves. Maybe we aren’t the root cause for why something has happened. But we always have responsibility for how we respond. DoContinue reading “The Buck Stops Here”
Tag Archives: stoicism
Behind the Curtain
“The true man is revealed in difficult times.” – Epictetus – Discourses We want an easy life most of the time. Heck our species fought just to survive for thousands of years – so now we’re in this place of relevant comfort – wouldn’t we be stupid if we sought out stress? The harsh truthContinue reading “Behind the Curtain”
Life’s no Soft Affair
Seneca LETTER CVII “Things will get thrown at you and things will hit you. Life’s no soft affair. It’s a long road you’ve started on: you can’t but expect to have slips and knocks and falls, and get tired.” Things will get thrown at you – some by random events – some with deliberate malice.Continue reading “Life’s no Soft Affair”
Wipe Your Nose
“But my nose is running!” “What do you have hands for, idiot, if not to wipe it?” “But how is it right that there be running noses in the first place?” “Instead of thinking up protests, wouldn’t be easier just to wipe your nose?” Epictetus – Discourses It’s easy to sit and think “poor meContinue reading “Wipe Your Nose”
Trials
“So, what should each of us say to every trial we face? This is what I’ve trained for, for this is my discipline!” – Epictetus Challenges at work or in our lives can sometimes make us want to throw in the towel and give up. Maybe we think about changing career or ending a relationshipContinue reading “Trials”
Find a Hero
Seneca once said “the soul should have someone it can respect, by whose example it can make it’s inner sanctum more inviolable.” In effect someone that through example, words, deeds or philosophy reminds you to hold yourself to a higher standard. This can be someone whether a friend, a hero, a religious figure, a mentor,Continue reading “Find a Hero”
Effecutivity 