Dying Every Day (Stoicism in a Year) Day 127: Epictetus on the freedom to see differently
Oct 11, 2025
Explore the transformative power of perception and how it shapes our reactions to life's challenges. Discover Epictetus' wisdom on attitude as our only real control and how fear stems from our judgments. Dive into connections with modern thinkers like Viktor Frankl and Marcus Aurelius, emphasizing the freedom to choose our responses. Engage in practical exercises to identify the stories we tell ourselves and reclaim energy through acceptance, urging listeners to reflect on their frustrations and perceptions.
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Freedom Lies In Interpretation
- Inner freedom depends on how we interpret events rather than events themselves.
- Between event and response lies a small space where peace or resentment is chosen.
Beliefs Create Emotions
- Emotions stem from beliefs we assign to events, not the events themselves.
- Changing those beliefs alters our emotional experience and restores agency.
Pause, Feel, Then Reframe
- Accept reality instead of fighting what cannot be changed to reclaim wasted energy.
- Pause when unwanted events occur, feel the sting, then notice the story you start to tell.