welcome to stoic Saga channel in today's video we continue our self-development series that began in the previous episode if you're new here or missed the last episode you can find the link in the description below remember these lessons are more than just educational content they're a daily comprehensive life curriculum be sure to subscribe to the channel so you don't miss any upcoming episodes if you're enjoying this series show your support by liking the video and commenting keep it up below today we delve deeper into the world of stoic philosophy with a practical guide to finding
peace amidst life's chaos forget solitary meditations at top mountain peaks we're talking about real daily Clarity we'll explore the powerful concept of controlling what you can and letting go of what you cannot inspired by the wisdom of ancient philosophers like epicus and Marcus aelius you'll learn actionable steps to apply stoic principles into your daily routine reduce stress and cultivate mental resilience whether you're stuck in traffic dealing with a cancelled trip or facing a major life challenge these insights will help you stay calm and centered [Music] lesson one the one path to Serenity and it ain't
what you think all right folks let's talk about finding some peace in this crazy world we're not talking about meditation Retreats or chanting om on a Mountaintop although hey if that's your jam go for it we're talking about a practical everyday kind of Serenity that can help you navigate life's ups and downs with a little more grace and a lot less stress the secret Source it's all about control or lack thereof here's the deal life is messy things happen that are totally out of our control traffic jams bad weather that jerk who cut you off
in line and if we're not careful these external events can hijack our emotions and send us spiraling into a pit of frustration and anxiety but here's the kicker the only thing we can truly control is our own minds our thoughts our beliefs our reactions as the stoic philosopher epicus put it the chief task in life is simply this to identify and separate matters so that I can say clearly to myself which are externals not under my control and which have to do with the choices I actually control so how do we put this into practice
one know your circle of control imagine a circle inside that Circle are the things you have direct control over your thoughts your actions your choices outside the circle are the things you can't control the weather other people's opinions the stock market Focus your energy on what's inside the circle and let go of what's outside two accept what you can't change this doesn't mean giving up or becoming passive it means recognizing that some things are simply beyond your influence instead of fighting against reality learn to accept it with Grace and equinity as the serenity prayer goes
grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change courage to change the things I can and wisdom to know the difference three choose your response when faced with a difficult situation you always have a choice in how you respond you can react with anger frustration and resentment or you can choose to respond with calmness compassion and understanding as Victor Frankle a holocost Survivor and psychiatrist famously said between stimulus and response there there is a space in that space is our power to choose our response in our response lies our growth and our freedom
real world examples because philosophy is best served with a side of reality the traffic jam stoic stuck in bumper-to-bumper traffic instead of cursing and honking take a deep breath and use the time to listen to a podcast practice mindfulness or or simply enjoy the forced break from The Daily Grind the cancelled flight philosopher flight cancelled instead of throwing a tantrum take a moment to assess your options can you rebook on a later flight is there a hotel nearby where you can rest and regroup remember getting upset won't change the situation but it will make you
miserable The laid-off Optimist lost your job instead of wallowing in self-pity use this as an opportunity to reassess your career goals learn new skills and explore different paths remember setbacks are often the seeds of new beginnings the bottom line Serenity isn't about avoiding life's challenges it's about facing them with inner strength and resilience by focusing on what we can control accepting what we can't and choosing our responses wisely we can find peace even in the midst of chaos as Marcus Aurelius the Roman Emperor and stoic philosopher wrote you have power over your mind not outside
events realize this and you will find strength lesson two circle of control your personal Zen Zone all right folks let's talk about something that's going to change your life the circle of control no it's not some new age woo woo stuff it's a practical tool that can help you stress less worry less and focus your energy on what truly matters picture this imagine a circle inside that Circle are all the things you have direct control over your thoughts your actions your attitude your choices outside the circle are all the things you can't control the weather
traffic other people's opinions the economy that annoying song stuck in your head the stoic wisdom this concept isn't new the ancient stoics like epicus and Marcus Aurelius were all about focusing on what's within our control and accepting what's not they knew that trying to control the uncontrollable is a recipe for frustration and misery so how does this help you one stress reduction when you focus on what's inside your circle of control you naturally worry less about what's outside you stop stressing over things you can't change and start focusing on what you can do to improve
your situation two empowerment realizing you have control over your thoughts and actions is incredibly empowering it means you're not a victim of circumstance but an active participant in your own life three better decisionmaking when you're clear about what you can and can't control you make better decisions you focus your energy on the things that will actually make a difference and let go of the rest real world examples because philosophy is best served with a side of reality the job interview you can't control whether or not you get the job but you can control how well
you prepare how you present yourself and how you follow up focus on those things and let go of the [Music] outcome the health diagnosis [Music] you can't control getting sick but you can control how you respond you can focus on getting the best possible treatment maintaining a positive attitude and making healthy lifestyle [Music] choices the such a social media storm you can't control what people say about you online but you can control how you react you can choose to ignore the negativity engage in constructive dialogue or simply log off and focus on something more positive
expanding your circle while you can't directly control everything outside your circle you can often influence it for example you can't control the weather but you can control whether or not you carry an umbrella you can't control other people's opinions but you can control how you express your own by focusing on what you can control you often gain more influence over what you can't the bottom line the circle of control is a simple yet powerful tool for living a more peaceful and fulfilling life it's about accepting the reality of what you can't change and focusing your
energy on what you can as the Serenity Prayer says grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change courage to change the things I can and wisdom to know the difference so take a moment to draw your own circle of control what's inside what's outside where are you spending your energy by focusing on what you can control you'll find yourself less stressed more empowered and better equipped to handle whatever life throws your [Music] way lesson three cut the strings that pull your mind your DIY guide to mental Freedom all right folks let's talk
about puppet strings no not the ones you see at a marionette show we're talking about the invisible strings that pull our minds in all sorts of directions leaving us feeling stressed anxious and out of control what are these strings you ask they're the external influences that constantly bombard us the new cycle so social media advertising peer pressure societal expectations they're the voices in our heads that tell us we're not good enough smart enough or successful enough they're the fears and insecurities that hold us back from living our best Lives why do we need to cut
these strings because they're keeping us from being truly free they're limiting our potential clouding our judgment and and preventing us from finding inner peace as the philosopher Lau said to attain knowledge add things every day to attain wisdom remove things every day so how do we cut these strings one awareness the first step is to become aware of the strings that are pulling your mind what are the external influences that are causing you stress or anxiety what are the internal voices that are holding you back once you identify them you can start to loosen their
grip two question everything don't just accept things at face value question the messages you're receiving from the media from your peers from your own thoughts are they true are they helpful are they serving your best interests three set bound boundaries learn to say no to things that don't align with your values or goals limit your exposure to negative news and social media surround yourself with positive influences and supportive people four practice mindfulness mindfulness is the art of being present in the moment without judgment it helps you become aware of your thoughts and feelings without getting
caught up up in them regular mindfulness practice can help you detach from the strings that pull your mind and find a sense of inner calm five cultivate Inner Strength build your resilience and self-confidence learn to trust your own judgment and make decisions based on your own values not on what others think or expect of you real world examples because philosophy is best served with a side of reality the News Junkie feeling overwhelmed by the constant barrage of negative news limit your news consumption to a specific time each day or switch to more positive sources of
[Music] information the social media scroller constantly comparing yourself to others on social media take a break from the apps or unfollow account that make you feel bad about yourself the people pleaser always saying yes to things you don't want to do learn to set boundaries and prioritize your own needs the worrior constantly worrying about the future practice mindfulness techniques to bring yourself back to the present moment the bottom line cutting the strings that pull your your mind is an ongoing process it takes effort awareness and a willingness to challenge your own beliefs and habits but
the rewards are worth it by freeing yourself from external influences and internal limitations you can live a more authentic joyful and fulfilling life as the Buddha said no one saves us but ourselves no one can and no one may we ourselves must walk the [Music] path Lesson Four peace is in staying the course your GPS for a chill life all right folks let's talk about finding peace in a world that's constantly trying to throw us off balance we're not talking about some hippie dippy go with the flow kind of piece we're talking about a dee
rooted Serenity that comes from knowing your values setting your goals and sticking to your guns even when the going gets tough the fomo trap in today's world we're constantly bombarded with messages telling us we're not doing enough not being enough not having enough we're lured by the shiny Promises of social media the fear of missing out fomo and the pressure to constantly reinvent ourselves it's like being being on a hamster wheel running faster and faster but never really getting anywhere the stoic solution the ancient stoics had a different approach they believed that true peace comes
from aligning our actions with our values focusing on what we can control and accepting what we can't as senica put it Tranquility can't be grasped except by those who have reached an unwavering and firm power of judgment the rest constantly fall and rise in their decisions wavering in a state of alternately rejecting and accepting things so how do we stay the course in a world that's constantly trying to distract us one know thyself what are your core values what are your long-term goals what kind of person do you want to be take some time to
reflect on these questions and write down your answers this will be your compass guiding you through life storms two set your sights once you know your values and goals create a plan to achieve them break down your big goals into smaller actionable steps this will give you a sense of direction and purpose even when things get chaotic three stay focused it's easy to get sidetracked by the latest trends fads and shiny objects but remember the grass isn't always greener on the other side stay focused on your own path even if it means saying no to
things that don't align with your values or goals four embrace the suck life isn't always sunshine and rainbows there will be setbacks challenges and moments of Doubt but instead of giving up embrace the suck learn from your mistakes adapt to new circumstances and keep moving forward five celebrate small wins don't wait until you reach the Finish Line to celebrate your progress acknowledge and appreciate the small winds along the way this will keep you motivated and remind you that you're on the right track realworld examples because philosophy is best served with a side of reality the
marathon runner training for a marathon is tough there are days when you want to quit when you feel like you can't go on but if you stay the course trust the process and keep putting one foot in front of the other you'll eventually cross that Finish Line the entrepreneur St starting a business is a roller coaster ride there are highs and lows successes and failures but if you stay true to your vision persevere through the challenges and learn from your mistakes you'll eventually build something you're proud of artist the creative path is often lonely and
uncertain there are times when you doubt your talent when you feel like giving up but if you stay committed to your craft keep creating and never stop learning you'll eventually find your voice and make your mark on the world the bottom line peace is not a destination but a journey it's about staying true to yourself even when the world is trying to pull you in different directions it's about finding your own Rhythm your own pace and your own path as Ralph Waldo Emerson said to be yourself in a world that is constantly trying to make
you something else is the greatest accomplishment lesson five never do anything out of habit break free from the mental chains all right folks let's talk about habits no not the good ones like brushing your teeth or exercising we're talking about those sneaky unconscious patterns of behavior that can trap us in a rut and keep us from living our best lives The Habit Loop ever wonder why you always reach for that bag of chips when you're stressed or why you mindlessly scroll through social media for hours on end it's because our brains are wired to create
habits they're like little shortcuts that save us mental energy but they can also lead us down some pretty unproductive paths as as the philosopher William James put it habit is thus the enormous flywheel of society its most precious conservative agent in other words habits keep us stuck in our ways even when those ways aren't serving us anymore why break the Habit habits can be comforting but they can also be limiting they can keep us from trying new things exploring new possibilities and grow growing as individuals as the saying goes if you always do what you've
always done you'll always get what you've always gotten Breaking Free from our habits allows us to gain awareness when we break a habit we become more aware of our thoughts feelings and actions we start to notice the triggers that lead us down certain paths and the consequences of our choices expand our choices habits narrow our focus and limit our options by Breaking Free we open ourselves up to new experiences New Perspectives and new ways of being live more intentionally when we're not running on autopilot we can make more conscious decisions about how we want to
spend our time and energy we can choose to focus on activities that bring us joy fulfillment and growth real world examples because philosophy is best served with a side of reality The Coffee Zombie do you find yourself reaching for a cup of coffee every morning without even thinking about it try switching to tea or simply going without for a few days notice how you feel and whether you actually need that caffeine fix the social media addict do you mindlessly scroll through social media whenever you have a free moment set a timer for how long you'll
allow yourself to browse or try deleting the apps from your phone for a week see how it affects your mood and productivity the couch potato do you find yourself plopping down on the couch every evening after work try taking a walk reading a book or engaging in a hobby instead notice how it changes your energy levels and overall all well-being how to break the Habit the fun part one identify the Habit what's the Habit you want to break be specific instead of saying I want to stop being lazy say I want to stop watching TV
for more than an hour a day two understand the trigger what triggers The Habit is it stress boredom a certain time of day or a particular environment once you know the trigger you can start to avoid it or replace it with a more positive behavior three replace the Habit don't just try to stop doing something instead replace it with a new healthier habit if you want to stop snacking on junk food replace it with fruits and vegetables if you want to stop scrolling through social media replace it with reading or spending time in nature four
be patient breaking a habit takes time and effort don't get discouraged if you slip up just pick yourself up and keep going remember progress not Perfection is the goal the bottom line habits are powerful but they don't have to control Us by becoming aware of our habits understanding their triggers and replacing them with more positive behaviors we can break free from the mental chains that hold us back and live more intentional fulfilling lives as Aristotle said we are what we repeatedly do Excellence then is not an act but a habit lesson six reboot the real
work ditch the hustle find your flow all right folks let's cut the crap and talk about real work not the endless grind the hustle culture the rise and grind mentality that's got us all burnt out we're talking about the kind of work that lights you up that makes you feel alive that leaves you feeling satisfied at the end of the day the busy trap in today's world we're constantly bombarded with messages telling us to be more productive to do more to achieve more we're glued to our screens checking emails scrolling through social media juggling multiple
tasks at once but all this busyness doesn't necessarily equate to meaningful work as the philosopher senica put it it is not that we have a short time to live but that we waste a lot of it life is long enough and a sufficiently generous amount has been given to us for the highest achievements if it were all well invested so how do we reboot our approach to work and find more meaning and fulfillment in what we do one Define your real work what are you truly passionate about what are your unique talents and skills what
kind of work makes you feel like you're making a difference take some time to reflect on these questions and identify your real work the work that aligns with your values your passions and your purpose two ditch the distractions in today's hyperconnected world distractions are everywhere emails notifications social media the endless stream of information vying for our attention learn to set boundaries turn off notifications and create dedicated blocks of time for focused work as the saying goes work expands so as to fill the time available for its completion three Embrace deep work deep work is the
state of focused concentration that allows us to produce our best work it's about eliminating distractions setting clear goals and immersing ourselves fully in the task at hand as Cal Newport author of deep work puts it clarity about what matters provides clarity about what does not four find your flow flow is that magical state where you're completely absorbed in what you're doing time seems to disappear and you're performing at your Peak it's The Sweet Spot between Challenge and skill where you're pushing yourself but not overwhelmed to find your flow choose tasks that are both challenging and
engaging and create an environment that minimizes distractions five prioritize rest and Recovery real work isn't about burning the candle at both ends it's about working sustainably taking breaks and prioritizing rest and Recovery as the saying goes all work and no play makes Jack a Dull Boy real world examples because philosophy is best served with a side of reality the writers Retreat many writers find that their most productive when they disconnect from the world and immerse themselves in their work they might rent a cabin in the woods go on a silent Retreat or simply turn off
their phones and close their email for a few hours each day the entrepreneurs morning routine many successful entrepreneurs have a morning routine that sets them up for a productive day this might include meditation exercise journaling or simp simply enjoying a cup of coffee in Silence the artist's creative rituals many artists have rituals that help them get into the creative flow this might include listening to music lighting candles or taking a walk in nature the bottom line rebooting the real work is about shifting your focus from quantity to Quality from busyness to meaning from hustle to
flow it's about doing work that matters work that lights you up work that leaves you feeling fulfilled and satisfied as the poet Mary Oliver put it tell me what is it you plan to do with your one wild and precious life lesson seven see the world like a poet and an artist Unleash Your Inner creative genius all right folks let's ditch the mundane and dive into a world of Wonder we're not talking about art school or Poetry Slams although those are cool too we're talking about a mindset shift a way of perceiving the world that
can transform your everyday life into a masterpiece the art of seeing ever notice how kids see the world with such wonder and curiosity they're fascinated by the smallest details a ladybug crawling on a leaf a cloud shaped like a dinosaur the way sunlight filters through the trees somewhere along the way we lose that sense of awe and wonder we get caught up in The Daily Grind the to-do lists the endless stream of information bombarding our senses but what if we could recapture that childlike wonder what if we could see the world through the eyes of
a poet or an artist the Philosopher's lens the ancient Greeks had a word for this theoria which means contemplation or speculation it's about looking beyond the surface of things seeing the hidden patterns and connections and finding Beauty in the ordinary as the philosopher Plato put it beauty lies in the eyes of the beholder but what if we could train our eyes to see more Beauty more meaning more magic in the world around us so how do we cultivate this artistic and poetic [Music] Vision one slow down in our fast-paced world it's easy to rush through
life without really paying attention take some time each day to slow down breathe deeply and simply observe your surroundings notice the colors the textures The Sounds the smells two look for p patterns poets and artists are Masters at finding patterns and Connections in the world around them look for patterns in nature in architecture in human behavior notice the way light and Shadow play on a building the way a flock of birds moves in unison the way a smile can light up a room three Embrace metaphor metaphor is the language of poetry and art it's about
seeing one thing in terms of another Finding similarities in seemingly disperate things for example a sunset might be described as a fiery canvas a rainstorm as a symphony of nature or a city skyline as a concrete jungle four cultivate curiosity ask questions explore new ideas challenge your assumptions don't be afraid to step outside your comfort zone and try new things the world is full of surprises waiting to be discovered real world examples because philosophy is best served with a side of reality the commuter poet instead of mindlessly scrolling through your phone on your commute look
out the window and observe the world around you notice the way the sunlight reflects off the buildings the way the trees Sway in the wind the way people inter interact with each other write a Haiku or a short poem about what you see the urban Sketcher carry a Sketchbook with you and capture the essence of your surroundings in quick sketches don't worry about perfection just focus on capturing the feeling of the [Music] moment the mindful eater instead of wolfing down your food take a moment to appreciate the colors textures and flavors notice the way the
food smells the way it feels in your mouth the way it nourishes your body the bottom line seeing the world like a poet and an artist is about more than just appreciating Beauty it's about cultivating a sense of wonder curiosity and creativity that can enrich every aspect of your life as the poet William Blake said to see a world in a grain of sand and a heaven in a wild flower hold Infinity in the palm of your hand and Eternity in an [Music] hour lesson 8 wherever you go there your choic is your inner compass
in a chaotic world all right folks let's talk about Freedom not the flag waving fireworks exploding kind of freedom we're talking about the kind of Freedom that lives inside your head the freedom to choose your attitude your thoughts and your actions no matter where life takes you the illusion of external control we often think that our happiness and well-being depend on external circumstances our job our relationships our bank account the weather we believe that if only we could change our circumstances we'd finally be happy but here's the thing external circumstances are constantly changing they're like
the weather unpredictable and often out of our control the stoic Power of Choice the ancient stoics knew this all too well they taught that true Freedom comes from within from our ability to choose our response to whatever life throws our way as petus put it it's not what happens to you but how you react to it that matters this doesn't mean we should passively accept whatever happens it means we should focus on what we can control our thoughts our emotions our actions and let go of what we can't so how do we exercise our power
of choice in everyday life one recog recognize your freedom no matter where you are or what you're going through you always have the freedom to choose your attitude you can choose to be positive optimistic and hopeful or you can choose to be negative pessimistic and cynical two reframe your perspective when faced with a challenge ask yourself what can I learn from this how can I grow from this experience in instead of seeing obstacles as roadblocks see them as opportunities for growth and learning three focus on what you can control instead of dwelling on things you
can't change focus on what you can do to improve your situation take action make choices and move forward four practice gratitude gratitude is a powerful antidote to negativity and despair take some time each day to appreciate the good things in your life no matter how small they may seem real world examples because philosophy is best served with a side of reality the traffic jam stoic instead of cursing the traffic use the time to listen to an audio book practice mindfulness or simply enjoy the forced break from your busy day The laid-off Optimist instead of wallowing
in self-pity use the opportunity to explore new career paths learn new skills or start a passion project the cancer patient instead of giving into dispair focus on the things you can control your attitude your treatment plan your support system find joy in the small things and cherish each moment the bottom line wherever you go there your choices it's a simple yet profound truth that can transform your life by recognizing your freedom to choose your response to any situation you can find peace joy and meaning even in the midst of adversity as Victor Frankle a holocaust
Survivor and psychiatrist famously said everything can be taken from a man but one thing the last of the human freedoms to choose one's attitude in any given set of circumstances to choose One's Own Way lesson 9 reignite your thoughts upgrade your mental software all right folks let's talk about the power of thought no not the think positive fluff you see on Instagram we're talking about the raw unfiltered power of your mind to shape your your reality your experiences and ultimately your life the Mind as a muscle think of your mind like a muscle if you
don't use it it gets weak and flabby but if you challenge it exercise it and feed it the right nutrients it can grow stronger sharper and more resilient as the philosopher Renee deart famously said I think therefore I am but what if we took it a step further and said I think therefore I create our thoughts are not just passive reflections of reality they're active forces that shape our world why reignite your thoughts our thoughts can be our greatest allies or our worst enemies they can lift us up or drag us down Inspire us or
discourage us Empower us or imprison us when our thought thoughts become stagnant repetitive or negative we get stuck in a rut both mentally and emotionally reignite your thoughts to break free from limiting beliefs we all have beliefs about ourselves and the world around us some of these beliefs are empowering While others are limiting by challenging our assumptions and questioning our beliefs we can break free from the mental chains that hold us back cultivate a growth [Music] mindset a growth mindset is the belief that our abilities and intelligence can be developed through dedication and hard work
by embracing a growth mindset we open ourselves up to new possibilities and challenges and we become more resilient in the face of setbacks enhance creativity and Innovation our thoughts are the building blocks of our creativity by expanding our thinking exploring new ideas and connecting seemingly unrelated Concepts we can spark our imagination and come up with innovative solutions to problems real world examples because philosophy is best served with a side of reality the entrepreneurs pivot when faced with a failing business an entrepreneur with a growth mindset will see it as an opportunity to learn adapt and
pivot in a New Direction they'll challenge their assumptions question their strategies and come up with innovative solutions to turn things around the artists breakthrough an artist who's stuck in a creative rut can reignite their thoughts by experimenting with new mediums exploring different genres or collaborating with other artists by pushing their boundaries and stepping outside their comfort zone they can spark their creativity and produce groundbreaking work the students aha moment a student who struggling with a difficult concept can reignite their thoughts by seeking out different explanations asking for help from a tutor or teacher or simply
taking a break and coming back to the problem with fresh eyes by persevering and approaching the problem from different angles they can eventually achieve a breakthrough how to reignite your thoughts your mental workout routine one challenge your assumptions question your beliefs your biases and your preconceived notions ask yourself is this really true what evidence do I have to support this belief are there other perspectives I haven't considered two seek out new information read books watch documentaries listen to podcasts attend lectures engage in conversations with people who have different views than you the more you expose
yourself to new ideas and perspectives the more your thinking will expand three practice mindfulness mindfulness is the practice of of paying attention to the present moment without judgment by cultivating mindfulness you can become more aware of your thoughts and feelings and you can learn to detach from negative thought patterns four Embrace curiosity ask questions explore new interests try new things the more Curious you are the more your mind will grow and evolve the bottom line your thoughts are not just fleeting mental events they're powerful forces that shape your Reality by reigniting your thoughts you can
break free from limiting beliefs cultivate a growth mindset enhance your creativity and live a more fulfilling life as the philosopher Socrates said the only true wisdom is in knowing you know nothing so go out there and learn something new your mind will than thank you for it all right folks that's a wrap for today's journey into stoicism and finding inner peace remember life throws all sorts of challenges our way but by focusing on what we can control and accepting what we can't we can navigate these ups and downs with Grace and resilience it's not about
avoiding difficulties but facing them with a strong and steady mind so next time you're in a tough spot take a deep breath reflect on your circle of control and choose your response wisely as Marcus Aurelius said you have power over your mind not outside events realize this and you will find strength thanks for watching and don't forget to hit that like button subscribe and leave a comment below about how you practice stoicism in your life see you in the next video Stay Strong stay stoic [Music]
