No One Has The Time For This |14 Choices A Stoic Should Make Every Day

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Oct 10, 2023

What if you learned you had a terminal illness? This thought-provoking discussion pushes against complacency and encourages embracing the reality of mortality. Dive into practical Stoic choices that can transform daily decisions into meaningful actions. Personal stories illuminate the essential role of self-discipline in making the most of our limited time. Discover the importance of authenticity and setting boundaries for a fulfilling life, as well as the power of community in exploring Stoic ideals.

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ADVICE

Live Urgently

Acknowledge the reality of death; don't postpone important actions.
Express love and appreciation to loved ones now, not later.

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ANECDOTE

Jake's Story

Jake Seliger's terminal illness underscores the importance of making the most of our time.
Support Jake's GoFundMe for his clinical trial at UC San Diego Medical Center.

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ADVICE

Life is Choices

Recognize that life is about choices; choose your perspective and habits.
Your choices shape who you become; Stoicism is a philosophy about making better choices.

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Embracing Mortality: Making Meaningful Choices in Life

01:47 • 15min

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Embracing Boundaries and Stoic Ideals

Epicurus's "Letter to Menoeceus" is a concise and accessible introduction to Epicurean philosophy. Written as a letter to a young man, it outlines the core tenets of Epicureanism, focusing on pleasure as the ultimate good and the pursuit of a tranquil life. Epicurus emphasizes the importance of friendship, moderation, and freedom from fear and pain. The letter provides a clear and practical guide to living a happy and fulfilling life. It remains a significant text in the history of philosophy and continues to resonate with readers seeking wisdom and guidance.

The Daily Stoic

366 Meditations on Wisdom, Perseverance, and the Art of Living

Ryan Holiday

Stephen Hanselman

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.

Nicomachean Ethics

Aristotle

The Nicomachean Ethics is Aristotle's most renowned work on ethics, focusing on the science of the good for human life. The text is divided into ten books and discusses the concept of eudaimonia, often translated as 'happiness' or 'flourishing,' which is achieved through living a virtuous life. Aristotle argues that eudaimonia is an activity of the soul in accordance with virtue, emphasizing the importance of reason, moral virtues, and the pursuit of excellence. The work also explores the division of the soul, the role of rationality in human life, and the ultimate goal of human activity, which is to achieve happiness through virtuous actions and a complete life.

Discourses

Epictetus

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.

Letters from a Stoic

Seneca

Seneca's "Letters from a Stoic" comprises a collection of personal letters offering practical advice on living a virtuous life according to Stoic principles. Written to Lucilius, a friend and student, the letters cover a wide range of topics, including dealing with adversity, managing emotions, and finding inner peace. Seneca's writing style is engaging and relatable, making complex philosophical concepts accessible to a wider audience. The letters offer timeless wisdom on self-improvement and ethical living. They remain a valuable resource for anyone seeking guidance on navigating life's challenges.

Meditations

Marcus Aurelius

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.

“What would you do if you found out you were diagnosed with a terminal illness?”

We’ve all mulled this hypothetical question over at one point or another. Then we go back to our normal lives as if life wasn’t, in fact, terminal for every person ever born, as if we have a lot more time. We treat it as a thought exercise, a philosophical conversation starter and not much more.

The Stoics tried to resist that complacency. “You were probably thinking I was going to open this letter with idle chit chat about the weather,” Seneca begins one of his letters, “but I’m not, because who has the time?” “Not to live as if you had endless years ahead of you,” Marcus Aurelius said. “Death overshadows you.”

Like everyone, Jake cannot escape what fortune has in store for him. But we can help Jake get every last minute of the time he deserves with his wife and family.

Last month Jake was accepted into a clinical trial at the UC San Diego Medical Center, but they need financial assistance relocating him to California to receive this care. You can help by donating to his GoFund Me here.

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And in today's Daily Stoic video excerpt, Ryan shares his thoughts on 14 Stoic choices. If we consistently make good choices then all will be well. Ryan outline's some of the best Stoic choices that you should make every day.

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