This has been a fine year for me, in terms of sharing my words in various ways, some quite different kinds of thoughts. This blog, for instance, which covers my thoughts regarding Stoicism, and how it applies to my life.
I have had no formal training in Stoicism (although I would certainly like to have such training). I have read one book about Stoicism, a book by Massimo Pigliucci, titled “How to be a Stoic”. I found much in this book that interested me, and have been working, ever since, to be a better Stoic.
It’s a work in progress, my Stoic life, but I find when I stay closest to Stoic ideas, I make better decision about important things. I no longer stress about anything really, because I realise there is so much in life that I can do nothing about, because they are for others to deal with.
And when I see something that is my responsibility, I try my hardest to deal with it, in the way that is best for me, for my loved ones, my community, and/or the whole, as appropriate. I can’t save everyone, from everything, but I can save some, from some things …
So this year is almost over, and tomorrow we will have the big day for the giving and receiving of gifts, with more to come the day after. Being with family is an important part of this process, being kind and thoughtful, and enjoying each other’s company.
Thoughts, and then acting on them in ways that bring good, these are the important to me, and even though I know I have flaws, I know I’m working on those flaws, and am becoming a better person, in some ways. I am a work in progress though, as we all are, and if I get things wrong at times, and find out about it, I try to mend things.
This isn’t always possible, but I take note of it, and try harder to be a good and virtuous person, using the wisdom I have, and trying to become ever wiser … I give to my community, I am honest, I try to be kind and friendly to all I meet, if and when I can. Life brings challenges, I try to meet them wisely, with my eye on the best result, in terms of good being done …
This has become my personal philosophy, and I know there are many other Stoics also working to be virtuous, working to make wise decisions, for the best of all, when and if they can … Will we one day help the whole world thing in the same way we do? Who knows, we can but try.
If you have any thoughts about any of my words here, please leave a comment, I would love to here how you feel about what I have written.
My Stoic Life 
I really enjoyed reading “How To Be A Stoic”—when anyone asks what Stoic book they should read first, I say this is a great intro. I’ve also enjoyed the classics, like Epictetus’s “Endchiridion” and Marcus Aurelius’s “Meditations.” Here’s to 2020!
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Thank you Dave, I’m glad you liked this blog post. I’ve been thinking hard about ways to adopt better and more Stoic responses to the things that happen in life, causing annoyances. I’m better better at leaving things alone, if I realise they’re not my problems to fix, but I still have a long way to go, in regards to this.
Being aware of this is good, and I can continue working at just letting things go more often. Feeling sorry for those who irritate us is not an easy thing, but I can say I’m improving, which feels good.
I would like to read a lot more about these issues, and certainly reading Marcus Aurelias’s Meditations in on my list of things to read and study.
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2020 hasn’t gone how anyone of us could have thought it would. Being a “Stoic has helped, and I’m going well, working with, rather than fighting against the current restrictions on my life, due to the Covid-19 crisis. My writing life has take a twist, and a turn, and I am working hard on a new project, that could well be biggest and best ever. I’ve been blogging about it almost every day, and it’s awesome, in my opinion. http://www.carolyncordonwriter.wordpress.com/blog/
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