Meditations is a series of private writings composed by Marcus Aurelius, one of Rome's greatest emperors, as he struggled to understand himself and make sense of the universe. Written between 170 and 180 CE while on military campaigns, this work combines Stoic philosophy with personal observations on leadership, duty, mortality, and human nature. Through twelve books of intimate thoughts never intended for publication, Marcus Aurelius explores themes of self-improvement, resilience in the face of adversity, and living virtuously while accepting what cannot be changed.
The Discourses of Epictetus are a series of informal lectures written down by his pupil Arrian around 108 AD. The philosophy of Epictetus is intensely practical, directing students to focus on their opinions, anxieties, passions, and desires to distinguish what is within their control from what is not. The teachings aim to make people free and happy by living virtuously and 'according to nature.' The Discourses cover a wide range of topics, including friendship, illness, fear, and poverty, and how to acquire and maintain tranquility. They are set in Epictetus' classroom in Nicopolis and reflect his earnest and often humorous style of teaching[3][4][5].
Published in 1925, 'The Great Gatsby' is a tragic love story, a mystery, and a social commentary on American life during the Jazz Age. The novel is narrated by Nick Carraway, who moves to Long Island and becomes entangled in the lives of his wealthy and mysterious neighbor, Jay Gatsby, and Gatsby's obsession to win back his first love, Daisy Buchanan. The story delves into themes of honesty, the temptations of wealth, and the struggle to escape the past, ultimately reflecting on the disintegration of the American Dream.
This book provides 366 meditations on Stoic wisdom, featuring new translations of passages from Epictetus, Marcus Aurelius, Seneca, and other Stoic philosophers. Each day, readers are presented with a Stoic lesson explained in modern language, along with advice on how to apply these lessons in everyday life. The book is organized temporally and thematically across the twelve months of the year, making it a daily resource for practicing Stoicism[4][5][6].
Wise Up is a unique blend of Stoic wisdom and personal anecdotes, offering advice on living a meaningful life. Karen Duffy shares her experiences as a mother and her strategies for coping with chronic pain, all while maintaining a vibrant outlook. The book is both entertaining and enlightening, making it a compelling read for anyone seeking life lessons with a touch of humor.
Model Patient is a gripping and inspiring memoir that recounts Karen Duffy's journey with sarcoidosis, a rare form of the disease affecting the central nervous system. The book chronicles her transformation from a celebrity life to one marked by chronic illness, using humor and wit to navigate the challenges of her condition. Duffy shares her experiences of adapting to a life-threatening disease while maintaining a positive outlook.
Ryan reads today’s daily meditation and talk to actress Karen Duffy about her new book Wise Up: Irreverent Enlightenment from a Mother Who's Been Through It, how she got introduced to Stoic Philosophy, her ongoing battle with sarcoidosis, and more.
Karen Duffy was born on May 23, 1962 in New York City, New York, USA. She is an actress, producer, and writer, known for Dumb and Dumber, Fantastic Mr. Fox, and Blank Check. In 1996, Duffy was diagnosed with neurosarcoidosis. Her brain and spinal cord were affected, leaving her partially paralyzed. She wrote about her affliction in the humorous 2000 autobiography Model Patient: My Life as an Incurable Wise-Ass. In November 2017 she celebrated the publication of her second book, Backbone: Living with Chronic Pain without Turning into One where she wrote about battling with sarcoidosis for two decades. For Duffy, who can usually only get up three days a week, writing and reading have served as a form of therapy. Her gateway to stoicism was Marcus’s “Meditations,” and her most recent book Wise Up, that was just released this month, uses stoicism as a compass to navigate the world.
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