We have to go after what we want, but sometimes life differs from our expectations. The environment, the circumstances, and other people may all have incompatibilities that do not coincide with our dreams.Sometimes it takes time for all the variables to line up and to work in your favor. Timing is everything; and only when you are patient, humble and dedicated, can success be attained.

Timing Is Everything

Only say what is important, do not try to explain to others how much you know or how much you have accomplished. Show them through your actions and work towards not been affected by their opinion.A happy person who has something that you lack will never show it off. Humility builds character; it allows one to grow and prosper without stressing about what others think.

Live And Flourish

We must not forget to reflect on how we truly feel, to assess what we are aiming for and if we are capable of reaching what’s best for us.Look towards others for guidance, but don’t forget we experience life differently and comparing yourself to others leads to a less satisfying life. It takes strength to be set on your goals, but it takes even more strength to accept that plans change and that your well-being is more important than the plan you made a few years ago.

Understand Yourself Through Discipline

Negativity, hate and hurtful critiques need not be shared or carried forward in our lives. Speaking against abusive behaviors is necessary, but actively looking to gossip and antagonize others fosters discrimination and division.Thus, we must keep a good company and not say all we think.

Don't Participate In Negativity

Your judgment concerning a challenge or difficulty will determine the outcome of that incident on your mental, emotional and physical state.Difficulties test our values and create, or solidify our morals. Treat everything as something you can learn from, and you will educate yourself on the art of living a balanced, undisturbed life.

Difficulties Breed Wisdom 

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<a href="https://medium.com/@mirnalni?source=post_page-----4aa8ecd8ad5b----------------------"><img src="https://miro.medium.com/fit/c/96/96/2*zHBdOWdfkRUQsTfVqMZxAA.jpeg"> </a> Stoic philosophers, such as Marcus Aurelius and Epictetus, have written about the inner tranquility, calm and freedom one can achieve when they embrace stoicism. By altering one's mindset and learning that perception and self-discipline are the key to achieving happiness, an individual can attain a peaceful life. However, stoicism receives a bad reputation, as those who practice it are seen as emotionless, withdrawn from the world around them and inherently cynical. This is far from the truth.
True stoics practice the arts of patience, understanding, and moderation in life. Stoicism can help one deal with long term ambitions, heart-breaking failures, unfortunate circumstances, and everyday inconveniences.
These are 5 lessons from Epictetus's "Enchiridion" (The Handbook) that one can implement in their daily lives in order to achieve true serenity. Maybe after going through this list, stoics will no longer be seen as soulless robots, but as soulful thinkers.
1. Timing is everything
"Remember to act always as if you were at a banquet. When the food or drink comes around, reach out and take some politely; and if it passes you by don't try pulling it back. And if it has not reached you yet, don't let your desire run ahead of you, be patient until your turn comes..." - Enchiridion, 15 We have all been told to go after what we want; and to break all the rules and all the boundaries to achieve our desires. But life is complicated and unpredictable. The truth of the matter is, you will not get everything you want at the time you want it. Sometimes you can put in a lot of hard work and do everything in your power to try and achieve your goals, but you still will not succeed. Moreover, sometimes life takes a different direction from what one anticipated. The environment, the circumstances and other people may all have incompatibilities which do not coincide with your dreams.
"Never identify yourself as a philosopher or speak much to non-philosophers about your principles; act in line with those principles... sheep don't bring their grass to the shepherds to prove to them how much they've eaten. They digest it inwardly, and outwardly bring forth milk and wool." - Enchiridion, 46 In reality, the world will not revolve around you or the things that you want. Nonetheless, this does not mean all hope is lost. It is just that the timing is not right. Sometimes it takes time for all the variables to line up and to work in your favor. It takes time for your effort at work to be seen or the love of your life to be at the stage as you are. Rome was not built in a day, and neither can your dreams. Timing is everything; and only when you are patient, humble and dedicated, can success be attained.
"Reflect on what is entailed both now and later on before committing to it. You have to submit to discipline... research your role, then assess your capacity to fill it... We are not all cut out for the same thing..." - Enchiridion, 29 2. Just live and flourish
"Let silence be your goal for the most part; say only what is necessary, and be brief about it... above all don't gossip about people, blaming or comparing them..." Enchiridion, 33 My favorite quote from The Handbook is the one that teaches you to be like a sheep. Let me clarify. It teaches that you do not need to prove anything to anyone, but just need to have the self-confidence and tranquility of mind to accept who you are and what you are capable of. Other people will always have something to say about you. Despite this fact, as long as you yourself know your potential and are at peace with it, happiness is a short step away. So only say what is important, do not try to explain to others how much you know or how much you have accomplished. Show them through your actions. If others take you as "ignorant" or "less than", and you are not affected by it, your journey towards stoic bliss has begun.
"For every challenge, remember the resources you have within you to cope with it... faced by pain, you will discover the power of endurance. If you are insulted, you will discover patience. In time, you will grow to be confident that there is not a single impression that you will not have the moral means to tolerate." - Enchiridion, 10 Remember that when a truly happy person who is doing more than you and has something that you lack, they will never show it off. Humility builds character; it allows one to grow and prosper without stressing about what others think. They will think something negative regardless; thus, just bring forth milk and wool.
3. Understand yourself through discipline
Many of us carry out intensive research on the steps we need to take in order to achieve our dreams. According to what others have been doing, we map out our entire lives, become set on a certain lifestyle and do not stop until we reach those ideals. However, through this process, we sometimes forget to take a step back and reflect on how we truly feel. With all the progress we make, and the ups and downs we face along the way, we overlook the importance of understanding ourselves. Is this truly what we are meant to do? Are we capable of this? Can we succeed?
It is beneficial to look towards others for guidance, but we have to understand that we are not all the same, and we experience life differently. Being set on your goals takes a lot of strength, but it takes even more courage to accept that plans change and that your well being is more important than the plan you made a few years ago. Comparing yourself to others will not lead to success and happiness; thus, we must understand what we ourselves are capable of, how we feel about our own circumstances and if we want to change them for a better, more satisfying life.
4. Do not respond to or participate in negativity, especially speech
In The Handbook, Epictetus teaches us about the energy we need to gravitate towards and emulate in our lives. We are taught from a young age that "if you have nothing nice to say, do not say it"; however as we get older, some of us forget this principle. In the digital, idealistic age, politeness and genuine feelings can get lost. There are many platforms to speak on and there is a lot to say, but no kindness to follow suit. However, truthfully, not everything needs to be said. Negativity, hate and hurtful critiques need not be shared or carried forward in our lives. Obviously speaking against arbitrary governments and racist behaviors is necessary for our culture. However, when we actively look to gossip to antagonize one another, society becomes discriminatory and divided.
Thus, we must keep good company and not say every single thing we are thinking. Stoicism does not preach the idea of being emotionless and thoughtless by keeping quiet about our ideas and feelings, but teaches us to be mindful of others and to respect each others' lifestyles.
5. Difficulties breed lessons, wisdom and morals
One of the most important ideas that Stoicism preaches is centered around perception. Stoicism teaches us (specifically in Enchiridion's sections 1, 5 and 13) how a person's perception shapes their circumstance more than the actual the situation in front of them. In other words, an individual's emotional and physical response dictates the effect that the event will have on their life. So, as follows, your judgment concerning a challenge or difficulty will determine the outcome of that incident on your mental, emotional and physical state. But more importantly, it will establish what kind of role, and future impact, this event plays in our lives.
Every negative or inconvenient situation tests our values and creates, or solidifies our morals. Wisdom comes from experience, and the principles we choose to live by are a product of the things we learned from our past. So, whether it's a loss or a heartbreak, a missed opportunity or a failure, you will learn something positive from that event; as a result, you will grow as an individual. Treat everything as something you can learn from, and you will educate yourself on the art of living a balanced, undisturbed life.
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Stoic philosophers, such as Marcus Aurelius and Epictetus, have written about the inner tranquility, calm and freedom one can achieve when they embrace stoicism. By altering one's mindset and learning that perception and self-discipline are the key to achieving happiness, an individual can attain a peaceful life.

5 Stoic lessons from Epictetus's Enchiridion (Handbook) to live by daily

Timing Is Everything

Live And Flourish

Understand Yourself Through Discipline

Don't Participate In Negativity

Difficulties Breed Wisdom

It's time to
Read like a Pro.

Stoic lessons from Epictetus’s Enchiridion to live by daily

Essential Stoic quotes for recovery - Tikvah Lake Florida

5 Stoic Tips for Finding Happiness

5 Stoic lessons from Epictetus's Enchiridion (Handbook) to live by daily

Timing Is Everything

Live And Flourish

Understand Yourself Through Discipline

Don't Participate In Negativity

Difficulties Breed Wisdom

It's time to Read like a Pro.

Stoic lessons from Epictetus’s Enchiridion to live by daily

Essential Stoic quotes for recovery - Tikvah Lake Florida

5 Stoic Tips for Finding Happiness

It's time to
Read like a Pro.