Below will be three questions that we will explore as it relates to a weekly theme from the Ryan Holiday Book “The Daily Stoic Journal.” First, Practice True Joy, Second Test Your Impressions and Third Count Your Blessings.
Marcus Aurelius said “Stoic joy isn’t about the delights of the senses or material pleasure. Joy is being kind to others.” To that end, the question for this day was. ”What if I stopped caring what others thought?” My response was as follows: Life would be more joyful. I would find myself living in the present more and more. I would have less resentment and grievance because I would not care what something or someone did to me. I think worrying about what others think or say for that matter is really about the ego. Also, caring what others think is either living in the past or being afraid of the future. Finally, whatever your Higher Power might be, surrender to it and embrace joy.
“Test Your Impressions” theme asks a new question each day of the week for morning and evening reflection. Epictetus said “First off, don’t let the force of the impression carry you away. Next, examine and test it by the rules you possess, whether it belongs to the things in our control or not in our control.” The question for this day was: ”How do my judgements cause me anguish? My response was as follows: When I judge myself or others, it is a slippery slope. I am trying to practice accepting myself without judging others, including friends, and also not judging myself. Control what I can control and let go of the rest. Remember what I cannot control… the weather, politics, bullies etc. It is nothing to me. At this moment as I look at blue skies everywhere and a lush green Mount Tamalpais with a beautiful ridgeline, I can choose to focus on that at this moment. I can control the present moment by surrendering to it.
“Count Your Blessings” theme asks a question. Marcus Aurelius also said, “It’s easy to complain about the things missing in our lives, and so much harder to appreciate how much we already have.”
Epictetus followed by saying. “Without gratitude what is the point of seeing, and without seeing what is the object of gratitude?” The question for this day was. “How am I creating momentum for my good habits?” I believe in getting up every day and embracing my morning routine of stretching and salutations. Next up is exercising and enlightenment. This could be a jog, a bike ride or Bikram yoga, because it centers me and drops me into nature mentally and physically. Also, I practice being present as much as possible and letting go of fears of the things I cannot control. Challenge myself daily by confronting uncertainty, guilt, and fear. Indeed, the key is counting my blessings every day!
David Erskine: World Traveler, Poet, Actor, Taxi-Driver, Author, Tech Sales Director and Dipsea Survivor.
Also, if you enjoy my writings, check out my new book available now on Amazon and Barnes and Noble entitled “Fifty Poems, Five Decades and Fifty Thousand Miles.”
