Many treat emotions (happiness, depression, etc.) as though they just happen to you or not and you have no control over them. In actuality, through consistent practice and work, you can employ reason and virtue to influence you emotions. The paragraph on CBT and willing to act a certain way (I'll add reframing) eventually leading to feeling a certain way, I have found revelatory in my Stoic journey! Stoic practice has led me out of anxiety and depression and into (Tim Lebon's) zest for life, even though almost none of my material circumstances have not changed. You are correct about practicing in good times to prepare for the bad. I navigated the Thanksgiving Holiday, which in the past was a time of stress, with equanimity.
How time flies. Seems like it was just yesterday I met you via this amazing creation the internet. As an even longer Stoic Friend said to me, “is it necessary”. Meeting you? Absolutely. I will never be a scholar like yourself but to anyone who asks, I can tell them Stoicism saved my life and gave me more time with my family.
Reminds me, possibly pointlessly, of quote attributed to Thomas Paine: "The world is my country, all mankind are my brethren, and to do good is my religion." Would you say Enlightenment ideals were Stoic?
Reminded me of the following quote from Epictetus;
"And if any thing laborious, or pleasant or glorious or inglorious be presented to you, remember that now is the contest, now are the Olympic games, and they cannot be deferred; and that it depends on one defeat and one giving way that progress is either lost or maintained."
Many treat emotions (happiness, depression, etc.) as though they just happen to you or not and you have no control over them. In actuality, through consistent practice and work, you can employ reason and virtue to influence you emotions. The paragraph on CBT and willing to act a certain way (I'll add reframing) eventually leading to feeling a certain way, I have found revelatory in my Stoic journey! Stoic practice has led me out of anxiety and depression and into (Tim Lebon's) zest for life, even though almost none of my material circumstances have not changed. You are correct about practicing in good times to prepare for the bad. I navigated the Thanksgiving Holiday, which in the past was a time of stress, with equanimity.
Thanks 🙏🏻 for everything
How time flies. Seems like it was just yesterday I met you via this amazing creation the internet. As an even longer Stoic Friend said to me, “is it necessary”. Meeting you? Absolutely. I will never be a scholar like yourself but to anyone who asks, I can tell them Stoicism saved my life and gave me more time with my family.
Namaste 🙏
Also, BTW, I am both a fan and a fun of Mr. Spock--nice pun, whether intentional or typo.
Reminds me, possibly pointlessly, of quote attributed to Thomas Paine: "The world is my country, all mankind are my brethren, and to do good is my religion." Would you say Enlightenment ideals were Stoic?
Thanks so much for answering my questions. It will be very helpful when talking with folks who have the misconception that Stoicism is sterile.
Reminded me of the following quote from Epictetus;
"And if any thing laborious, or pleasant or glorious or inglorious be presented to you, remember that now is the contest, now are the Olympic games, and they cannot be deferred; and that it depends on one defeat and one giving way that progress is either lost or maintained."