Stoic Optimism

-Stoicism is a practice.

-Stoicism is the foundation for Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)

-Stoicism’s undeserved reputation for being synonymous with emotionless, it can actually lead to an incredibly satisfying way of life.

-Stoicism is a very old philosophy that can be practiced by anyone to increase their happiness; many ideas you may already practice in your daily interactions.

-Stoicism is, at its root, a philosophy for minimizing the negative emotions in your life and maximizing your gratitude and joy; it includes mindfulness practices and value-based living.

-Stoicism is a tool to amplify your human experience, both internally and externally, by incorporating some of their thought processes into our daily lives, I believe we’ll find more joy in our daily duties and respond more resiliently to troubles and challenges that arise.

Marcus Aurelius always reminded himself that the obstacle is the way:

“Our actions may be impeded…but there can be no impeding our intention or dispositions. Because we can accommodate and adapt. The mind adapts and converts to its own purpose the obstacle to our acting”
“The impediment to action advances action. What stands in the way, becomes the way”

When we look at the world through this lens…every obstacle provides a chance to practice excellence.


Principle 1: You can’t change things outside of your control, but you can change your attitude.

“You have power over your mind – not outside events. Realize this, and you will find strength.”
― Marcus Aurelius, Meditations

Thomas Edison

At the age of 67, Edison was having dinner with his family. A loud knocking is at his door. He is informed that there is a fire at his factory. He rushes there to find it completely engulfed in flames. The flames are roaring high emitting blues, reds and greens from the chemicals used in his facility.
He looks over to find his son distraught. He taps on his sons shoulder and reply’s, “quick, get your mother and all of her friends, they’ll never see a fire like this again”

Principle 2: Don’t fall prey to modern society’s materialistic nature.

“Wealth consists not in having great possessions, but in having few wants.”
― Epictetus

Principle 3: Picture life without the people and possessions you have to truly appreciate them.

“Do not indulge in dreams of having what you have not, but reckon up the chief of the blessings you do possess, and then thankfully remember how you would crave for them if they were not yours.” ― Marcus Aurelius, Meditations

Principle 4: Be genuinely cheerful in all your interactions.
“A man thus grounded must, whether he wills or not, necessarily be attended by constant cheerfulness and a joy that is deep and issues from deep within, since he finds delight in his own resources, and desires no joys greater than his inner joys.”― Seneca

Principle 5: Practicing your values beats preaching them.

“Don’t explain your philosophy. Embody it.”― Epictetus

To summarize Stoicism, don’t get caught up in materialism, have cheerful interactions with your colleagues to bring them up, perform work diligently and for the greater good, and recognize what’s in and out of your control…don’t let things out of your control affect your joy.

When frustrating things happen, breathe, recognize your emotion and the reason for it, and let it pass. You can’t do anything about it anyway. All that you can control is your reaction, and all you can do is embody goodness and appreciate all you have, which is something I’m sure we’ll all find joy in.