How Stoicism can change your life
As you read the headline you're probably be thinking. Who the hell am I to write about some ancient philosophy to help you improve your life?
Well, I want you to know something about me first.
I was a guy who was depressed, stressed, anxious, and afraid of failure. I used to dwell on my problems so much that it caused me sleepless nights focusing on how I can solve these types of situations.
Then one day when I was watching YouTube videos about philosophy I encountered Stoicism, I was so intrigued by it and it made me curious why we Millennials don't use this philosophy to make our lives better.
If stoicism is a way to a good life then why don't they teach this ancient Philosophy to us?
The answer is I don't know.
Some say Stoicism is like a religion but from my perspective, it isn't. It's about controlling your thoughts and focusing on living in the present rather than dwelling on your sad past and worrying about your future.
Stoicism taught me that the word FAILURE is part of our life, it's an opportunity for each and every one of us to do better, to start over or to re-evaluate the things we can do. Changing the meaning of the word failure is powerful because it allows us to achieve the success we want.
If you're one of those individuals who dwell on external things rather than internal Stoicism can help you.
Here are some Main Ideas of Stoicism that will help you change your life:
1.We can't control everything that happens to us, but we can control how we react.
"You have power over your mind – not outside events. Realize this, and you will find strength."
― Marcus Aurelius, Meditations
This is a powerful yet simple idea of Stoicism, presented by Epictetus a slave-philosopher who divided human experiences into two parts. Things we control and things we don't.
We don't control the natural phenomenon, people's opinion, the economy, our genetics, parents, reputation and even our future. We can influence some of these things but some of these situations are out of our control.
The only thing we have control is our mind and our thoughts with these two we can influence our emotions and actions even though that's it. It can be extremely powerful.
2. Don't fall prey to modern society's materialistic nature.
"Wealth consists not in having great possessions, but in having few wants."
― Epictetus
In our generation, we thought that having these materials can bring us happiness but it's not it's just a desire given by our minds or the Ego.
We become materialistic because of our constant exposure to advertisements and media which tells us to buy this so that you can be popular or be a part of the modern trend.
Let me ask you this do you think that these materials really make you happy or you just want to impress people to improve your reputation?
In this day and age of technology that brings us depression and materialism Stoicism can help us find the true meaning of happiness and joy especially when adversity comes.
"True happiness is to enjoy the present, without anxious dependence upon the future, not to amuse ourselves with either hopes or fears but to rest satisfied with what we have, which is sufficient, for he that is so wants nothing. The greatest blessings of mankind are within us and within our reach. A wise man is a content with his lot, whatever it may be, without wishing for what he has not." ― Seneca
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