Happiness begins with a clear principle: some things are within control and other things are not.

Stoicism was founded by Zeno of Citium in Athens around 300 BC. The key principle of the ancient Stoics was the belief that we don’t react to events; we react to our judgments about them, and the judgments are up to us. They also advised that we should not worry about things beyond our control as everything in life can be divided into two categories things that are up to us and things that are not.

What Is Stoicism?

Rather than avoiding diffucult thoughts, you actually mediate upon these potential negative things.

2) Premediating Adversity

Seneca suggested people to live outside for once in a month. If you live outside you will see the worst so next time a problem occurs you are just gonna say to your self. I've been through worse. I can handle this just fine. Also, by doing this you can also be more grateful for the things you have.

There is knowledge and there is wisdom. You know the stuff but actually how to apply to your life.

6) Apply to Your Life

Let's say it starts to rain just as you have to leave your house, that is unfortunate. But if you have to go out, apart from putting on a raincoat or getting your umbrella, or cancelling your appointment, there isn’t much you can do about it. You can’t stop the rain no matter how much you want to. Should you be upset about this or embrace the fact you can't stop the rain whatever you do and just go out with an umbrella?

How To Be Happier?

Stoicism is not so much an ethic as it is a paradoxical recipe for happiness.

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Ask yourself:What is in my control?For example, let's say you hate a person in your class or work. Every move he does, every word he says annoys you to death. And you are always so tense because of him. What would you do if you were a stoic? That's simple. Nothing. Think about it. You can't destroy him or shut his mouth or code him again like a program. Only thing you can do is just not to care. Control your emotions, your judgements. Do not be a control freak who tries to organize every person around. The world is not turning around you. Just do not care if you can't do anything about it.

1) The Dichotomy Of Control

You can die tomorrow. Your family can die tomorrow. There is no certainity in future and in life. So many things could happen to you even in 5 minutes. You can't know. I know it is harsh but that is the truth. And you can't possibly change that. So, as a stoic what can you do? You can cherish the every minute you have. You can enjoy those moments and cherish them because you won't have those seconds, minutes, days ever again. Just show your love to someone, just be grateful...

"As you kiss your son good night, whisper to yourself 'He may be dead in the morning.' "

Sometimes we lose in details. In these times we must remember the big picture.

4) A View from Above

Time is cruel, doesn't wait for us just flows. Also, it's sneaky. We need to look closer to see how fast it past. Life is like a play. We are the main character. And it is not perfect. Sometimes cast is awful but you need to play anyway. And sometimes you just need to pause, just pause for a moment. Look from outside, be the director or audience. Just watch carefully. See what's going on, what's happening in your own life even though you are busy. It might sound silly at first but it is imperative to inprove yourself.

"A Stoic is someone who transforms fear into prudence, pain into transformation, mistakes into initiation, and desire into undertaking.

Stoicism 101

As I just said, watch your life. Best way to do that is journaling. You can journal by writing, vlogging etc. However you want. Journaling increases the quality of your life. You can see the changes day to day. You can improve your life by journaling. Just write down what you did wrong or right, what you are grateful for. Or if you have a problem just write it down. By writing down you will feel relieved, and also you will see how you changed. By writing what you regret today, you won't do it tomorrow. You will acknowledge the effect of your actions.

That's really simple but effective way to be happy. It will be hard at the beginning but you can do it. When you get overwhelmed about the things you can't control just take a deep deep breath, stop for a moment, be a stoic and then carry on like it is nothing.

Saying and knowing those are easy. More significantly you need apply all to your life which is the hardest part. But you can do it just believe in yourself. Change happens over time, not over night. By time you can get better.

If we are prepared for diffucult situations then we are also prepared for the misfortunes that might come true in the future.

-EPICTETUS

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