Thank you Ryan for the content you continue to provide me at no cost. The name of your bookstore is so apropos; every time I listen and absorb what you’re offering so many people, I feel as if I’m at the Stoa.
I did this and I have showed up every day for 15.5 years and now my job is trying to fire me and take away my whole identity, paycheck and pension due to my reluctance to put an experimental substance in my body against my will. What do I do. Seriously. I love my job and despise my employer. What do we do here.
Oh, my and what is this experimental substance? And how are all the millions of guinea pigs taking it doing? You might have noticed at bit better than those who are and not filling as many body bags. Not sure if you are on the right site for this sort of whining. (: (: (:
@@bhatkat Oh ew are you real?? You find a 3 months ago comment and really want to put the real science up against the fake news numbers? WTF r you even doing on this guys page.
3 Quotes to Live By: 1) "Don't compare yourself to someone else, compare yourself to your yesterday's self." 2) “You can't go back and change the beginning, but you can start where you are and change the ending” 3) "Once you decide your lifes purpose, you will only have to pack one thing: "Your Heart." Love from a small channel💙
“Why didn’t you do your best?” I could see this question becoming another form of self-flagellation if one isn’t careful. I think it needs to be approached with curiosity and generosity towards oneself.
You are not wrong. I love that you said the c word. Being curious when I examine myself has been one of those tiny but profound changes in my mental game.
I love the idea of taking small steps each day. As long as you're taking small steps in the right direction you will accomplish anything. It also reminds me of something from James Clear's Atomic Habits where he talks about improving by 1% each day
Psoriasis for example, it is more on appearance but it damages the mental health every day. Since I found your videos I started reading books and practing Stoicism, it helps a lot. A video about psoriasis by a stoic will be helpful for other people who doesn't know how to deal mentally with it.
I've got psoriasis as well. It isn't very noticeable to others, as it's mainly on the back of my neck and inner forearm, but its something I'm conscious of constantly. Especially getting haircuts or at the gym. Lately, I've focused more on my diet and skincare and although it's only improved slightly, it's helped me to realize; While I may not be able change my condition, I can maintain it to the best of my ability. Aside from that, it's out of my hands. Just that small sense of acceptance has honestly made me feel much better.
@@darius5464 I had my first flare up last November, after years of mild scalp itching and a few forever scabs, here and there. I made the mistake to scratch both my arms and legs; became very unsightly. Since then, the redness vanished and I do my best to avoid thinking about it.
By what mechanism does it damage one's mental health? The naive dismay of idiots? Shame is mostly a type of fecal matter that fools obliviously splatter on their victims and once you are better informed about how the pathetic games are being played it isn't difficult to throw it back at them.
Ryan, a Maiden fan? Nice! Rhyme of the Ancient Mariner, based on the world’s longest poem, is my favorite song! I think that mariner’s journey in the tale is one of a stoic journey IMHO… The Live After Death alblum’s live version is the best! “Scream for me Long Beach, scream for me!!!!!”
"Indifferent Spectators Test" Psychology vs. Philosophy, blew my mind. I've been pondering this lately. Also, the Jimmy Carter story.. no words. It was Will Smith who said, "In terms of outcome, the outcome is not connected to the quality of your behavior."
there are 2 content creators I religiously listen and watch to de-stress from life. You. and Jay Shetty. I know both of you are intinsically different both in philosophy and personality. thank you so much for making me sane in these trying times have a great day
I think these are some core truths. I had no idea about stoicism. Places the bar high. I don't think anyone can give 100% their best all the time. A parent or worker. Or even person. But it's a worthy goal. As an aging person I am finding that knowing when and how to give it all and when to slack a little is an art in itself. Riding the ebb and flow of the day. Focusing energy. Only so much in this old battery. 🤷♂️ But I like this stoicism. A challenge to the self to bring your A game. And hell....there's only one game.
Love your books but can't take your videos. Get your hand out of my face. Stop lecturing and pointing at me like I'm a young kid that needs your discipline.
To improve yourself every day is what ultimately will fulfill us as human beings. Not surprised that's the first rule of stoicism. Be Great and keep growing.
1. Have the courage to grow 2. Make progress every day 3. Use the indifferent spectactor test 4. Commit to the process 5. Ask yourself 'Did I do my best?'
I wish to believe the Stoics, but when I consider that they had no idea of evolution and scientific approach to the world, I think they would change some of their doctrines and views. I admire the motivation of Ryan. I would like to see some criticism of stoic philosophy from his side as well. I guess ultimately the knowledge really brings only suffering…
Serious comment here. Is not giving your best also subject to moderation in all things? I think sometimes not doing everything to exhaustion of your abilities is perfectly acceptable, especially if it gives you more time and energy to focus on something truly more important like spending time with loved ones. Thoughts?
Hey Ryan! I really appreciate all your work from books, to the emails and videos. I just wanted to say that your videos got so much better! The content has always been great, but now the videos are even more engaging! Keep on the good work :)
I probably can't improve much (not yet anyways, and probably not in these times). But what I can do is ignore all of the "fear hype", which seems so prevalent lately. While "Covid Mania" is a thing, and the world seems to want to crash and burn, I'll try to mind my own business. Guess that's how I'll improve then. And when the world don't crash and burn, even better xD
Thank you Ryan for the truly wonderful insights into stoic philosophy. One of the huge imbalances in life is the disparity between your daily existence, with its routines and habits, and the dream you have deep within yourself of some extraordinarily satisfying way of living. The whole universal system is held together through love, harmony, and cooperation. If you use your thoughts according to these principles, you can transend anything that gets in your way.
Transformation comes in two forms: Crisis or lysis. All at once, or slowly and step-by-step. All religions prepare you for both, but by far the most common type is lysis. Crisis is a seductive goal, as it promises to skip over all the hard work. But it's often achieved after just as much delayed gratification. Like Eddie Cantor said, "It takes 20 years to become an overnight success"
The stoics aimed, as did Buddha, Heraclitis, Pythagoras, Socrates, Plato, Aristotle, Jesus, Paul, etc, to serve the Greater Good. Not make the greater good serve themselves. Good luck translating that strange goal today, in the age of Me.
When it says are you doing your best.... How do you do your best at everything.... When I'm being my best at work.... I'm not being my best as a mother / friend / wife etc. .... There is only one cup to pour from.
I own all the books.. all I have to say is THANK YOU. I love the daily e-mail and the regular videos.. what helps me do my best is to generally start with the reminders you offer in so many forms.
My suggestion is to start with ''The Daily Stoic: 366 Meditations on Wisdom, Perseverance, and the Art of Living''. I read one every morning for the last 14 months, even if there is only 366 !!! Lots of citation from different Stoics, plus Ryan interpretation to explain the meaning of it. it helped me pick my favorites: Epictetus and Seneca (and Ryan of course).
Try an annotated edition, read widely and skeptically if you care to retain any independence of agency. And when you meet the guru on the road, ignore her.
