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Stoicism and happiness.
A thread:
A thread:
1. Simplify your life:
The Stoics stress that all we need for happiness is to have control over our character.
To summarize, “Cure your desire—don’t set your heart on so many things and you will get what you need.” - Epictetus
The Stoics stress that all we need for happiness is to have control over our character.
To summarize, “Cure your desire—don’t set your heart on so many things and you will get what you need.” - Epictetus
2. Have less desires.
We do not have to buy materialistic goods to feel happy. Instead, we must look to our selves, our character in order to find true peace.
Epictetus said “Wealth consists not in having great possessions, but in having few wants.”
We do not have to buy materialistic goods to feel happy. Instead, we must look to our selves, our character in order to find true peace.
Epictetus said “Wealth consists not in having great possessions, but in having few wants.”
3. Momento Mori
Don't be afraid to think of death. It is a part of the natural order, as human as anything. Do not waste time on useless tasks; do what makes you happy, what will help you live your life.
Act like you realise time is not abundant.
Don't be afraid to think of death. It is a part of the natural order, as human as anything. Do not waste time on useless tasks; do what makes you happy, what will help you live your life.
Act like you realise time is not abundant.
This is our big mistake: to think we look forward to death. Most of death is already gone. Whatever time has passed is owned by death.” –Seneca.
This quote tells us perfectly how to think of death. For so many waste life, killing their time, yet are scared of death!
This quote tells us perfectly how to think of death. For so many waste life, killing their time, yet are scared of death!
4. Focus on what you can control
The Stoics argue that the only two things that we have absolute control over are our thoughts and actions. We can’t control the world around us, but we can control how we respond to it through our judgements and reactions.
The Stoics argue that the only two things that we have absolute control over are our thoughts and actions. We can’t control the world around us, but we can control how we respond to it through our judgements and reactions.
Inevitably, things will happen in life that we can’t control. It's down to us; it's how we respond to them that makes these things good or bad.
“You have power over your mind-not outside events. Realize this and you will find strength.” –Marcus Aurelius.
“You have power over your mind-not outside events. Realize this and you will find strength.” –Marcus Aurelius.
