Stoicism for Modern Life: Control What You Can

Stoicism is two thousand years old and still the most practical philosophy I know.

The dichotomy of control

Epictetus taught that some things are up to us (our judgments, actions, effort) and some are not (other people, the economy, the weather). Peace comes from caring only about the first group.

Three habits worth stealing

1. Morning premeditation: imagine what could go wrong today and decide how you will respond.
2. Evening review: ask what you did well, what you missed, and what you will change.
3. View from above: zoom out until the problem shrinks to its true size.

Not suppression

Stoics still feel emotions. They simply refuse to be ruled by them.

"You have power over your mind, not outside events. Realize this, and you will find strength." (attributed to Marcus Aurelius)