It’s Ok To Break | Ask DS

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Sep 28, 2023

Explore the depths of grief through the lens of Stoicism as Marcus Aurelius comforts a friend in sorrow. Dive into the balancing act between creativity and content, and learn how to prioritize effectively in a chaotic world. Discover the importance of living life purposefully, embracing the concept of memento mori to motivate action. Finally, gain insights into managing time and seeking wisdom from diverse sources that enrich our personal and professional lives.

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ANECDOTE

Grief and Stoicism

Marcus Aurelius consoled Fronto after Fronto lost his grandchild.
Both grieved openly, highlighting that Stoicism doesn't preclude emotional expression.

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ADVICE

Content Creation and Delegation

Embrace diverse content platforms to reach wider audiences.
Delegate and empower your team to translate your work into different mediums.

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ADVICE

Seeking and Sharing Wisdom

Seek wisdom from diverse sources, integrating useful ideas into your own life.
Share learned knowledge to benefit others and contribute to intellectual discourse.

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Understanding Grief Through Stoicism

01:47 • 4min

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Balancing Creativity with Content Distribution

06:16 • 6min

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Embracing Life's True Purpose

12:44 • 2min

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This book presents the fascinating lives of twenty-six ancient Stoics, from Zeno to Marcus Aurelius, organized in digestible mini-biographies. It vividly brings to life the stories of key Stoic philosophers, such as Seneca, Epictetus, and Cicero, and demonstrates how their philosophies shaped their actions and legacies. The authors intertwine historical context with philosophical insights, making the book both educational and entertaining. It shows how Stoic principles can be applied to modern life, emphasizing virtues like Courage, Justice, Temperance, and Wisdom.

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In 'Discipline is Destiny', Ryan Holiday explores the Stoic virtue of self-discipline, drawing on historical figures and contemporary examples to illustrate its transformative power. The book emphasizes that discipline is the foundation upon which other virtues such as courage, justice, and wisdom depend. Holiday argues that self-control is essential for personal triumph and fulfillment, and he provides engaging stories and practical advice on how to cultivate discipline in a world filled with distractions and temptations. The book also cautions against the perils of extravagance and hedonism, stressing the importance of balance and self-mastery in achieving success and happiness.

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In 'Stillness is the Key', Ryan Holiday explores the concept of inner stillness as a universal principle across different philosophical and religious traditions, including Stoicism, Buddhism, Epicureanism, and more. The book is divided into three sections: stillness of the mind, stillness of the spirit, and stillness of the body. Holiday argues that cultivating stillness allows for better decision-making, increased focus, and a more fulfilling life. He uses anecdotes from historical figures and contemporary examples to illustrate the importance of moderation, patience, and self-awareness in achieving this state of stillness.

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In 'The Obstacle Is the Way', Ryan Holiday presents a framework for turning obstacles into successes. Drawing from the philosophy of Stoicism and the writings of Marcus Aurelius, Holiday outlines three disciplines: perception, action, and will. He illustrates these principles with historical anecdotes from figures such as John D. Rockefeller, Amelia Earhart, Ulysses S. Grant, and Steve Jobs. The book emphasizes the importance of perception in shaping one's response to obstacles, the need for intentional and creative action, and the cultivation of will to persist through challenges. Holiday argues that by adopting these Stoic principles, individuals can transform their obstacles into opportunities for growth and success.

When Marcus Aurelius heard that his beloved teacher Fronto had lost a grandchild, he sent him a letter. Perhaps, if you believe in the stereotype of the unfeeling Stoic, you might expect that this letter was intended to buck his friend up, or attempted to remind the grieving Fronto that loss was a part of life and something we had to be prepared for.

In our recent interview with Professor Martha Nussbaum on the Daily Stoic podcast, we talked about this exchange.

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And in today's Ask Daily Stoic, Ryan answers questions from a conference of tech and e-commerce entrepreneurs after a talk he gave in downtown Austin. The topics that he covers include how Ryan manages his time between writing books and creating content, why he searches for wisdom from a wide variety of sources, and how we can balance our decisions with the context that we are making them in.

📕 You can learn more about the tragedy and triumphs of Marcus Aurelius’ life as well as those of Cicero’s in Lives of the Stoics: The Art of Living from Zeno to Marcus Aurelius.

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