The Daily Stoic When The Statues Still Had Paint On Them | The Real Power You Have
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Nov 4, 2025 Dive into the vivid world of ancient Greece and Rome, where history is alive and colorful, not just dusty relics. Explore how today's choices shape our future and the distinction between fleeting external power and the enduring strength of inner virtue. Discover insights from Stoic thinkers like Epictetus and Marcus Aurelius, who emphasize self-mastery as the ultimate freedom. Reflect on what power you pursue: the external or the profound control within yourself. This thought-provoking discussion inspires a deeper understanding of our present.
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History Happens In The Present
- The ancients lived fully in their present, not in a distant past of ruins and quiet togas.
- We likewise live in a vivid, uncertain present where our choices shape future history.
Grocery Run As A Present-Moment Example
- Ryan describes his family's Monday grocery ritual and upcoming Whole Foods Thanksgiving run.
- He uses this everyday scene to illustrate living in the present and making ordinary choices matter.
Two Kinds Of Power
- Stoics distinguish fleeting power (wealth, fame, position) from real power inside us.
- Real power is our capacity to reason, judge, and choose based on what truly matters.
