Shevacai

Pleb, Daily Stoic writer, #austrich

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2023-11-25 20:29:38 UTC

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I know I'll find myself floating down that way if the waters rise. Haha

2023-11-22 14:42:37 UTC

The Daily Stoic - Meditations on Wisdom, Perseverance, and the Art of Living
Day 41
November 22nd - The Glass is Already Broken.
"Fortune falls heavily on those for whom she's unexpected. The one always on the lookout easily endures."
-Seneca, On Consolation to Helvia, 5.3
From the Author:
"There is a story of a Zen master who had a beautiful prized cup. The master would repeat to himself, 'The glass is already broken.' He enjoyed the cup. He used it. He showed it off to visitors. But in his mind, it was already broken. And so one day, when it actually did break, he simply said, 'Of course.'
This is how Stoics think too. There is supposedly a true story about Epictetus and a lamp. He never locked his house, and so his expensive lamp was stolen. When Epictetus replaced it, he replaced it with a cheaper one so he could be less attached to it if it were stolen again.
Devastation - that feeling that we're absolutely crused and shocked by an event - is a factor of how unlikely we considered that event in the first place. No one is 'wrecked' by the fact that it's snowing in the winter, because we've accepted (and even anticipated) this turn of events. What about the occurances that surprise us? We might not be so shocked if we took the time to consider their possibility"
Over the years I've had my car in the driveway, for several months at a time, left unlocked regularly over night or when I'm not at the house. It, nor it's contents, were ever stolen. I've had my car broken into on two occasions, though. Both when the car was locked, though not in my driveway.
I feel like theres a point there of not having a fear, worry, or expectation for an event of this type to occur - to have something stolen or broken - if you can let go of attachment, or fear of losing the thing you're attached to.
I'm not saying the act of locking your house or car puts into the universe a frequency of "oh I hope no one breaks a window and steals my stuff", more that theres a feeling of surrender, and acceptance that something may already be broken or stolen.
I put out an frequency of safety, security for my person and belongings, and free passage for my movements and words. I believe that only good things happen. But I accept that I own nothing that I cannot defend, and that if something is broken or lost, I can repair or replace it, depending on the significance of the object.

2023-11-18 13:28:33 UTC

The Daily Stoic - Meditations on Wisdom, Perseverance, and the Art of Living
Day 37
November 18th - Four Habits of the Stoic Mind
"Our rational nature moves freely forward in its impressions when it:
1) accepts nothing false or uncertain;
2) directs its impulses only to acts for the common good;
3) limits its desires and aversions only to what's in its own power;
4) embraces everything nature assigns it."
-Marcus Aurelius, Meditations, 8.7
From the Author:
"... let's align our minds along these four critical habits:
1. Accept only what is true.
2. Work for the common good.
3. Match our needs and wants with what is in our control.
4. Embrace what nature has in store for us."
Accepting only truth, or nothing uncertain, can be quite difficult without total knowledge, and in this day and age there are many things claimed to be true that are obfuscated, whether intentionally, or through lack of understanding/research. You must use critical thinking, as best you can, to determine if a claim is truth, or bad actors are attempting to lead you astray.
With misinformation being talked about by media, govt. officials and orgs, and people on social media, it's pretty clear that there is an agenda on who determines the truth. I think many could agree that those who claim for control over what we are fed as truth have something to hide. But that's not to say everything that is condemned by them /is/ truth. Use critical thinking.
Number three and four are very much about not striving for control outside and over that which cannot be in our control. Nature is as does. We can only accept what comes, and must not complain, lest we expend our energy complaining instead of using the momentum to steer in a direction that works for us, within our wants, needs, and abilities.

2023-11-17 14:38:26 UTC

The Daily Stoic - Meditations on Wisdom, Perseverance, and the Art of Living
Day 36
November 17th - Judge Not, Lest...
"When philosophy is wielded with arrogance and stubbornly, it is the cause for the ruin of many. Let philosophy scrape off your own faults, rather than be a way to rail against the faults of others."
-Seneca, Moral Letters, 103.4b-5a
From the Author:
"Remember, the proper direction of philosophy - of all things we're doing here - is focused inward. To make ourselves better and to leave other people to that task for themselves and their own journey. Our faults are in our control, and so we turn to philosophy to help scrape them off like barnacles from the hull of a ship. Other people's faults? Not so much. That's for them to do.
Leave other people to their faults. Nothing in Stoic philosophy empowers you to judge them - only to accept them. Especially when we have so many of our own."
First is to acknowledge we have faults, then is to explore the breadth and depth of them, then to recognise how they affect your and those around you.
If we can do these things through questioning ourselves, even to dark places, and giving completely honest answers to ourselves, and breaking down that pride that we have of self-perfection, then we can heal, or scrape the barnacles off.
One of the biggest faults that many may have is hypocrisy; holding others to standards that we don't hold ourselves to. Whether it's consciously or subconsciously, we will always forgive ourselves before others, if it allows us to absolve ourselves of blame. Which is another fault, along with judgement, that many have, or find themselves falling for.
Take responsibility for your journey, but not another's. Have humility and patience while others start what you are already underway on.

2023-11-13 14:01:54 UTC

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https://image.nostr.build/905e89d753c34391f246eae52296f1675a82332138fd8261218453fe82397d4b.jpg

2023-11-13 13:57:27 UTC

The Daily Stoic - Meditations on Wisdom, Perseverance, and the Art of Living
Day 32
November 13th - Never Complain, Never Explain
"Don't allow yourself to be heard any longer griping about public life, not even with your own ears!"
-Marcus Aurelius, Meditations, 8.9
From the Author:
"It's so easy to complain about this or that, or to try to make excuses or justifications for the things you've done. But that doesn't accomplish anything - and it never lightens the load."
Similarly to worry, complaining accomplishes nothing. Worry puts you through an event twice, and it's better to just take events as they come, and not worry of an outcome. It's better to do your best to deal with any situation on the spot, rather than run around in circles, throwing worst case scenarios into the universe. Rather, let it go, or think of the best case scenario, or how you will tackle the situation.
As with complaining, if something isn't working and it emotionally, mentally, physically or spiritually pains you, then do something about it. Whatever is in your power to change, change it. Speak to someone in a logical, results forward way. Find out how to change your situation for the betterment of your life, and hopefully not the detriment of anothers. If that's not possible, and the detriment caused could be too great, attempt to remove yourself.
"But why should I?" Why should you remove yourself, and why can't the other person (if it a person who pains you)? Do they know? Are they aware? Or have you just been complaining to others for the sake and satisfaction of having another agree with you? Why should you be the bigger person and take into control what you can and create a more positive flowing life for yourself?
Do not even complain in the privacy of your home or mind, as this upsets the mindframe that is required to succeed daily. Do not let the actions of others weigh you down, focus only on what you can achieve, and worry not.
No one likes a complainer who has no offerings of solutions. Be the solutions guy.
Mind; often we may feel the need to rant, to get something off our chest. Pick the person to open up to carefully, do not burden them, or do not pick someone who will take your burden. Be your own mule, or shed your pack to the winds.

2023-11-12 14:24:38 UTC

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Pretty much exactly what I was talking to my mum about in regards to a friend. She's dealing with eating disorders, drinking, making bad relationship decisions etc, and my logic brain tells me to tell her how she can fix these things, but the knowledge that she doesn't want fixes, just an ear, means that I basically have to let her suffer and deal with this until she's really ready to fix things. Shes making the choice to suffer rather than facing the difficult realities of her life.

2023-11-11 13:26:24 UTC

The Daily Stoic - Meditations on Wisdom, Perseverance, and the Art of Living
Day 30
November 11th - It's Not The Thing, It's What We Make Of It
"When you are distressed by an external thing, it's not the thing itself that troubles you, but only your judgement of it. And you can wipe this out at a moments notice."
-Marcus Aurelius, Meditations, 8.47
Excerpts from Author:
"Franklin Delano Roosevelt, now widely regarded as one of America's greatest political leaders was, in middle age, diagnosed with polio after spending years preparing for and dreaming about the presidency.
It's impossible to understand FDR without understanding this disability. The "external thing" was that he was crippled - this was a literal fact - but his judgement of it was that it did not cripple his career or his personhood. Though he was certainly the victim of a then incurable disease, he wiped away - almost immediately - the victim's mentality.
Let's not confuse acceptance with passivity."
I've talked about external factors, and most people describe them as 'happening to them'. In this case I would admit polio happened upon FDR, but most things that can be described as negative, which may be allowed to affect ones outlook on life, or to sully their day, doesn't 'happen to them'. It happens, and we take it on board, and allow it to affect us, rather than let it be an outside factor that does not have to sour us.
Things happen, and our opinion of it is all that we can control, it's all that we have. Why would you bemoan, constantly, things that feel like setbacks, incidents that cost or waste time, when we could rather use our energy to strive onwards, look at the bigger picture, see it for a tiny blip that likely won't matter in a day, month, 5 years.
Tying this into another aspect of the universe - 'where thoughts go, energy flows.' What you focus on, you attract, and over-thinking, worrying, or complaining about certain things that are happening doesn't make your situation any better - you may just appear as a victim - and in many cases, worrying is just putting yourself though an impending horrible situation twice. Why would you do that to yourself?
I had a housemate who would get very serious when I described myself or someone else as "Happy-go-lucky", because it's such a rare attribute to a person, and that it's not a term to 'throw around' as it were. But I really think that people who can differentiate themselves from the things happening, and focusing on the silver lining, or considering everything to be a real gift for growth, to be exactly this kind of person. I even consider myself to be somewhat happy-go-lucky. Many things tend to work out for me, theres no resistance, opportunities pop up and sometimes I'm wise enough to recognise them.

2023-11-08 13:45:21 UTC

The Daily Stoic - Meditations on Wisdom, Perseverance, and the Art of Living
Day 27
November 8th - Actors in a Play
"Remember that you are an actorin a play, playing a character according to the will of the playwright - if a short play, then it's short, if long, long. If he wishes you to play the beggar, play even that role well, just as you would if it were a cripple, a honcho, or an everyday person. For this is your duty, to perform well the character assigned you. That selection belongs to another."
-Epictetus, Enchiridion, 17
From the Author:
"Our station in life can be as random as a roll of the dice. Some of us are born into privilege, others into adversity. Sometimes we're given exactly the opportunities we want. At other times we're given a lucky break, but to us it feels like a burden.
The Stoics remind us that whatever happens to us today or over the course of our lives, wherever we fall on the intellectual, social, or physical spectra, our job is not to complain or bemoan our plight but to do the best we can to accept it and fulfill it. Is there still room for flexibility or ambition? Or course! The history of the stage is littered with stories of bit parts that turned into starring roles and indelible characters that were expanded in future adaptations. But even this begins with acceptance and understanding - and desire to excel at what we have been assigned."
I'm not sure where or when I first heard about it, nor how it ties in with Samsara, the Hindu belief of reincarnation, but a theory that resonates with me is such; in the afterlife, we review our lives, whether that's God's judgement, or a coordinated effort to see what you learned, then you choose another role, and other lessons to learn, in the next life. Each life giving yourself different 'fate' lines, where you invite other souls/spirits to come along and play their part along side you.
I think overcoming adversity, having gratitude, patience and being accepting of who you are is a big part of navigating the lessons, trials if you will, that we have set for ourselves.
And despite this, having potentially limitless impressions on this world, birth, life, death, rebirth, we must realise that we don't carry from one to the next our memories consciously, and therefore we must treat this like our only life, our precious, limited time, to do the best we can, to be the best we can with what tools we're given.
Become the star of the show if you wish, and put your whole self out there. Maybe the lesson to be learned is humility. Or be a wallflower, keep to yourself and a small group - and perhaps learn that you must be more open, that you must seize whats infront of you.
Whatever it is, along with your purpose, find it. Run with it. What's the worst that can happen?

2023-11-06 13:39:49 UTC

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You didn't add #footstr to the description! Feets is art too!

2023-11-05 13:28:45 UTC

The Daily Stoic - Meditations on Wisdom, Perseverance, and the Art of Living
Day 24
November 5th - A Higher Power
"This is the very thing which makes up the virtue of the happy person and a well-flowing life - when the affairs of life are in every way tuned to the harmony between the individual divine spirit and the will of the director of the universe."
-Chrysippus, Quoted in Diogenes Laertius, Lives of the Eminent Philosophers, 7.1.88
From the Author:
"It's also clear that this wisdom is beneficial to us all. you don't have to believe there is a god directing the universe, you just need to stop believing /you're/ that director. As soon as you can attune your spirit to that idea, the easier annd happier your life will be, because you will have given up the most potent addiction of all: control."
So the author (Ryan Holiday and/or Stephen Hanselman) talks about 12 step programs for addicts, and how many get stuck on step 2 - acknowledging a higher power, and getting out of their own way.
Serenity Prayer:
"God grant me the serenity
To accept the things I cannot change;
Courage to change the things I can;
And wisdom to know the difference."
-Reinhold Neibuhr (1892-1971)
A very well known prayer that tends to pop up a lot in addiction recovery programs, because it allows one to give oneself a chance to let go, and come to terms with the fact there are things one can't control. Life is much more peaceful and simple when you (As @npub1jmy…6xcq said) "Be like water". To stop trying to herd cats, or at least to not give rise to negative feelings and energies when the cats climb up curtains, hide under couches and push glasses of water off tables instead of being corralled by you.

2023-11-04 15:09:23 UTC

The Daily Stoic - Meditations on Wisdom, Perseverance, and the Art of Living
Day 23
November 4th - Not Good, Nor Bad.
"There is no evil in things changing, just as there is no good in persisting in a new state"
- Marcus Aurelius, Meditations, 4.42
From the Author:
"When people say change is good, they're usually trying to reassure someone (Or themselves). Because instinctively we view change as bad - or at least we're suspicious of it.
The Stoics want you to do away with those labels altogether. Change isn't good. The Status Quo isn't bad. They just are.
Remember, events are objective. It's only our opinion that says something is good or bad (and thus worth fighting against or fighting for). A better attitude? To decide to make the most of everything. But to do that you must first cease fighting."
When I think of the last few years on the world stage, and the things we were told to do, think and believe, I remember the initial stages of me finally opening my eyes. I remember thinking how much I wanted to fight this overarching power structure, to deliberately disobey to prove that they had no power over me. Then after some time I realised that the truth is they don't, and therefore I don't need to fight. I will just live the way I want and pay no mind to those who wish me to act according to their agenda.
The way we feel about change is determined by how we see certain events or future trends playing out. But just like preference in music, and even the evolution of music, it's entirely opinion, not necessarily truth. One person may like Rap, and you may think it's the most awful thing to be played on the radio, but neither you or the other person's opinion is true, or correct.
I always feel some amount of disgust for the direction the general world is going, but I realise it's less important to dislike that, and more important to focus on the change I want. In myself, in who I surround myself with, in what we build, and how we can all contribute to a shared goal. In the mean time, despite everything, I make the most of, and be grateful for, all the good and positive things.

2023-11-03 14:36:07 UTC

The Daily Stoic - Meditations on Wisdom, Perseverance, and the Art of Living
Day 22
November 3rd - Following the Doctors Orders.
"Just as we commonnly hear people say the doctor prescribed someone particular riding exercises, or ice baths, or walking without shoes, we should in the same way say that nature prescribed someone to be diseased, or disabled, or to suffer any kind of impairment. In the case of the doctor, prescribed means something ordered to help aid someone's healing. But in the case of nature, it means that what happens to each of us is ordered to help aid our destiny"
- Marcus Aurelius, Meditations, 5.8
From the Author:
"... When it comes to external events, we fight like hell if anything happens contrary to our plans. But what if, Marcus asks, a doctor had prescribed this exact thing as a part of our treatment? What if this was as good for us as medicine?..."
My understanding of this is what makes us grow. Taking responsibility makes us grow a sense of self preservation, perhaps. Being forced to take a look at what you're doing, via some illness of sorts that come from a life of certain lack of activity, nature, nourishing food, is the same thing.
Illness is often no more than a cry from your body to reassess the environment you're in, the thought patterns and beliefs you entertain all day, and the people who's ideas are pushed onto you in some way or another. "We fight like hell" if we become sick in the middle of an important timely event in our life, so that we can successfully navigate through stresses and deadlines. But why do we only fight then, and not in every day to ensure our bodies are in best physical and mental health? Lessons to be learned are medicine for the growth of our self.

2023-11-01 13:06:01 UTC

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It's definitely hard to separate yourself from the idea of good and evil people.
Today I did some work on a wood fired cooker for an absolutely lovely older couple. They were absolutely ecstatic that I was there, since they'd been without it for a long time, and had had trouble getting someone to fix it up for them.
They were incredibly appreciative of me, and I told them how grateful I am that I get the chance to work for such incredible people, the gentleman said "That's because of you, you created that" (getting back what you put out). And it's absolutely true. The manifested reality I've put myself in is one where I only seek out individuals who's intentions are of good, and that my experiences are positive.

2023-10-31 12:55:04 UTC

The Daily Stoic - Meditations on Wisdom, Perseverance, and the Art of Living
Day 19
October 31st - You were Born Good
"The human being is born with an inclination toward virtue."
- Musonius Rufus, Lectures, 2.7.1-2
"All of us have been made by nature" Rufus said, "so that we can live free from error and nobly - not that one can and another can't, but all."
From the Author:
"The notion of original sin has weighed down humankind for centuries. In reality, we're made to help each other and be good to each other, We wouldn't have survived as a species otherwise."
I think it's important to note the last sentence, despite all the horrible ways people treat others, from positions of assumed/non consensual authority (Which makes it's way into media seemingly more than good), the fact we've lasted so long is the majority population will come together for mutual benefit and coordinate peacefully with one another. The majority of people are good, with perhaps a small minority being selfish, and another small minority being outright evil.
I like "Bill and Ted"'s saying "Be excellent to each other". Excellency isn't just a higher 'tier' of goodness, but encompasses striving to do the best you can by another.
"You were born with an attraction to virtue and self-mastery. If you've gotten far from that, it's not out of some inborn corruption but from a nurturing of the wrong things and the wrong ideas."
Many are led astray from the path of goodness, of excellency, to their own lives and to their interactions with others. Virtue has been spun, perverted perhaps. Or maybe in a Libertarian way, it's only expanded, but I think virtue as we see it (to use a very common phrase - 'Virtue Signalling') is not what real virtue is. Real virtue isn't blind to truth, ignorant to nature, or 'forcing square pegs into round holes'. When it comes to whats true, and what comes from nature, we must not just accept everything as virtuous, but I think we must always be excellent to each other.

2023-10-31 09:58:24 UTC

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Hodling is the best gift for future you/children. To not spend is to be highly selfless. To spend is to recognise high value transfer of goods, and services. Everything about Bitcoin is a win.

2023-10-30 11:34:02 UTC

The Daily Stoic - Meditations on Wisdom, Perseverance, and the Art of Living
Day 18
October 30th - Who Gets the Lion's Share?
"Aren't you ashamed to reserve for yourself only the remnants of your life and to dedicate to wisdom only that time can't be directed to business?"
-Seneca, On the Brevity of Life, 3.5b
Alexander the Great would say to those who would offer him some of their land in hopes he would leave them alone while he was conquering, that he 'hadn't come all the way to Asia to accept whatever they would give him, but instead they were going to have to accept whatever he chose to leave for them'.
From the Author:
"According to Seneca, we should treat philosophy the same way in our lives. Philosophy shouldn't have to accept what time or energy is left over from other occupations but instead we should graciously make time for those other pursuits only once our study is finished".
There is time in the day to have your work done to cover your needs, and some, and then there is time in the day to study whatever it is you feel best serves you. Whether it's for a new occupation, a hobby you wish to turn into a form of income, or just for your own personal clarity of your self and future. What Seneca suggests may be less viable in todays age, but Bitcoin does allow us to have the chance to step off the treadmill in order to persue other things than a 9-5 job. Choose what you do with your time wisely.

2023-10-27 14:07:22 UTC

The Daily Stoic - Meditations on Wisdom, Perseverance, and the Art of Living
Day 15
October 27th - We Reap what we Sow
"Crimes often return to their teacher."
- Seneca, Thyestes, 311
https://image.nostr.build/b509e5777db19b1e6825513a8f20a9cb6ac0c32dd3ba36abd96bd872c332c2ee.jpg
From the Author:
"It's something to think about when you consider whom to work with and whom to do business with in life. If you show a client how to do something unethical or illegal, might they return the favor to an unsuspecting you later on? If you provide a bad example to your empolyees, to your associates, to your children, might they betray you or hurt you down the road? What goes around, comes around, is the saying. Karma is a notion we have imported from the East, along similar lines."
This one is quite an easy one. Another similar would be;
"So in everything, do to others what you would have them do to you, for this sums up the Law and the Prophets."
- Matthew, 7:12
Everything is a balance of energies. A pendulum swings one way, but it must swing back. Pendulums are a bit strange though, as one can be a turning of the tides, perhaps a breakdown of the current status quo into something else. But it's important to keep putting out energies with best intentions, not in the way that the karma will come back and make it self serving, but so that you can collectively bring honesty, truth and respect to the forefront of every interaction.

2023-10-26 12:54:47 UTC

The Daily Stoic - Meditations on Wisdom, Perseverance, and the Art of Living
Day 14
October 26th - Three Parts, One Aim.
"The best and the greatest number of authors have asserted that philosophy consists of three parts: the moral, the natural, and the rational. The first puts the soul in order. The second thoroughly examines the natural order of things. The third inquires into the proper meaning of words, and their arrangements and proofs which keep falsehoods from creeping into displace truth"
- Seneca, Moral Letters, 89.9
https://image.nostr.build/1cd3ba40feecb4c08fbeec56b6a8c7fc731ae033e2f85eca0f84bd95e3251731.jpg
From Author:
"These three parts - the moral, the natural, and the rational - have one aim. As different as they are, they have the same purpose: to help you live a good life ruled by reason. Not in the future, but right now."
Focusing on the 'rational' for this first part, because it deals with the proper meaning of words, arrangements and proofs. Keeping what is true (to nature and the natural order of things), true.
In our every day lives we have people telling us all kinds of things they claim as true, despite them clearly, to the rational thinker, being complete falsehoods. People are confused.
Merriam-Webster dictionary a few years ago added to the definition 'literally', 'figuratively/virtually'. Changing the definition from truth to loose exaggeration of the truth.
Words matter, usage of the correct terminology matters, and intentions with using words need to be rooted in truth.
Harkening back to a previous post I talked about a book "The Four Agreements" by Don Miguel Ruiz, one of the other four agreements discussed was "Be impeccable with your word." Speak truth without trying to convince people of something that isn't rational, natural or that which puts the soul in order.

2023-10-25 14:07:27 UTC

The Daily Stoic - Meditations on Wisdom, Perseverance, and the Art of Living
Day 13
October 25th - Two Tasks
"What, then, makes a person free from hindrance and self-determination? For wealth doesn't, neither does high-office, state or kingdom - rather, something else must be found... in the case of living, it is the knowledge of how to live"
- Epictetus, Discourses, 4.1.62-64
From the Author:
"You have two essential tasks in life; to be a good person and to pursue the occupations that you love. Everything else is a waste of energy and a squandering of your potential. How does one do that? Ok, that's a tougher question. But the philosophy we see from the Stoics make it simple enough: say no to distractions, to destructive emotions, to outside pressure. Ask yourself: 'What is it that only I can do? What is the best use of my limited time on this planet?'."
How do you detatch yourself from, and stop giving your energy in todays world when everything is designed to be a distraction. Tik tok is a distraction from wars in Eastern Europe, Middle East. Politics is a distraction from why our money doesn't hold it's buying power. News is a distraction from your family and community. Movies and sitcoms are distractions from your day job and other smaller responsibilities.
How do you relieve yourself of destructive emotions once you've taken a side on the political fence, or social issues that you have no power over, when everything is divided into sides, psy-ops, good and bad, and all you can do is get angry at the 'enemy', people just like you who, in most cases, want to be free, left alone?
How do you ignore the outside pressures of living up to a certain standard in anothers eyes? Or how to not be sucked into buying every little thing that we're bombarded with day in, day out on billboards, tv and radio ads, in newspapers, magazines, on your phone when you scroll through Tik Tok or Twitter (thankfully not nostr)?
It's time to go inside yourself, shut out everything so you can think in peace, for one fucking second, and pull yourself out from the undertow of the waves of extraneous life that wants to keep pulling you under, keep your energy flowing to the pendulums, feeding the beast, as it were.
Breathe for a moment, and find what you can do for yourself, your family, friends and community, in the most positive, powerful and impactful way you can muster. If you must put yourself in a position outside of this, make sure it's damn well worth the fight, because in most cases, the odds may seem stacked against you, and it will be a drain on your energy.

2023-10-24 15:16:09 UTC

The Daily Stoic - Meditations on Wisdom, Perseverance, and the Art of Living
Day 12
October 24th - The Fountain of Goodness
"Dig deep within yourself, for there is a fountain of goodness ever ready to flow if you will keep digging"
- Marcus Aurelius, Meditations, 7.59
From the Author:
"Today, we could hope that goodness comes our way - good news, good weather, good luck. Or we could find it ourselves, in ourselves. Goodness isn't something that's going to be delivered by mail. You have to dig it up inside your own soul. You find it within your own thoughts, and you make it with your own actions.''
Relating to yesterdays post about gratitude; gratitude is an appreciation of the goodness in yourself, in your life, in the things you are capable of doing. Finding and expressing that goodness may end up being the mail delivery for someone else. Bad weather shouldn't dampen you, things not going exactly as planned should only give you reason to search for the good that comes out of the change, the silver lining. Remember, the universe, God, conspires in your favour, always, as long as you allow it to.

2023-10-22 08:27:59 UTC

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It would definitely be a good habit to make too!.

2023-10-19 13:13:22 UTC

The Daily Stoic - Meditations on Wisdom, Perseverance, and the Art of Living
Day 7
October 19th - Good Habits Drive out Bad Habits
"Since habit is such a powerful influence, and we're used to pursuing our impulses to gain and avoid outside our own choice, we should set a contrary habit against that, and where appearances are really slippery, use the counterforce of our training"
-Epictetus, Discourses, 3.12.6
From authors notes;
'When a bad habit reveals itself, counteract it with a commitment to a contrary virtue. For instance, let's say you find yourself procrastinating today - don't dig in and fight it. Get up and take a walk to clear your head and reset instead'
'Good habits have the power to drive out bad habits. And habits are easy to pick up - as we all know.'
I've recently been making a few habits a focal point in my life, particularly post sunset/pre bed. Eating before sun down, wearing blue blockers, taking flush niacin. Rather than give excuses why any of it could be forgone for a night, I tell say to myself 'not today, brain worms', as a little joke where I defy the little voice in my head telling me it's ok to not do these little things.
Creating good habits that have a positive result further in the future is best of low time preference. Start something today, continue tomorrow, repeat all week, reap the rewards in time.

2023-10-19 11:53:24 UTC

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It's absolutely a positive sum game. Giving people, especially those who may be ignored by many, some time to hear their story is something I very much enjoy doing. Giving them a voice, when they're trying to pick up the pieces.

2023-10-16 14:33:55 UTC

The Daily Stoic - Meditations on Wisdom, Perseverance, and the Art of Living
Day 4
October 16th - Spread the Word
"Some people with exceptional minds quickly grasp virtue, or produce it within themselves. But other dim and lazy types, hindered by bad habits, must have their rusty souls constantly scrubbed down.... The weaker sorts will be helped and lifted from their bad opinions if we put them in the care of philosophy's principles."
-Seneca - Moral Letters 95.36-37
Seneca believed that "Everyone deserves to benefit from "philosophy's principles", and that "behaviour is always a better example than a lecture"
I think I'd like to put this into terms of Bitcoin, for myself and others.
What bitcoin has taught me, by virtue of surrounding myself with others, is low time preference is preferable. To be able to delay instant gratification in order to enjoy something at a later date. Putting more effort into what I do, gaining the willpower to say no. It's helped my health (diet), and my cold storage (bitcoin) by not eating junk, not buying junk. Leading by example, showing restraint, thinking into the future. I hope in interactions and conversations with others, who don't already see the world this way, I can provide some idea or clarity in their minds of a less degenerate way of life, since we know such a life is rampant.

2023-10-15 01:16:13 UTC

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This was my bedroom as a kid. Dad let me paint it whatever colour I wanted. Naturally it was Orange. (A bit more burnt than BTC orange though.)
https://image.nostr.build/a4863c08a9d2d9b8ce367dd8a2882600c368e5150fed7247586347c60448b8fa.jpg

2023-10-13 13:49:47 UTC

I'm going to start daily posting an entry from The Daily Stoic - Meditation on Wisdom, Perseverance, and the art of Living. I hope to give myself a minute to contemplate, and hopefully have other peoples input.
https://i.imgur.com/opZyKJ9.png
October 13th
Revenge is a dish best not served.
"The best way to avenge yourself is to not be like that."
- Marcus Aurelius, Meditations, 6.6
"How much better to heal than seek revenge from injury. Vengeance wastes a lot of time and exposes you to many more injuries than the first that sparked it. Anger always outlasts hurt. Best to take the opposite course. Would anyone think it normal to return a kick to a mule or a bite to a dog?"
- Seneca, On Anger 3.27.2
A small anecdote.
A week or two ago I was doing a little work for a man we'll call M. M is a nice guy, but perhaps a little hot headed, definitely not afraid to speak his mind.
He runs a restaurant and he mentioned that he had a guy who he employed 'fuck him over' by using days of sick leave as holiday, and called him from across the other side of the world to let him know he wouldn't be in. It seemed last minute, as he was expected back in a few days later. M sacked the guy. The guy then tried to get an unfair dismissal claim, and won, taking several thousand of M's business' money.
M was pissed, and mentioned to me his plans to get into this guys head by sometime in the future 'knocking on his door and asking him how he is, how everything is going for him', with a look of semi derangement, and a big fake smile on his face.
I said, without thinking "An eye for an eye", and he immediately responded something along the lines of "When someone comes and tries to fuck over a good family man, trying to provide for his family and community, it's not an eye for an eye".
I would think that Marcus Aurelius and Seneca would think "Living the best life, and giving the most you have to offer to the people you love is revenge enough. Karma may respond to this guy in kind, and that's enough"
I've never been someone to want to get back at anyone to this point. I let go of the hatred towards my ex-stepfather many years ago. His health was never good. I knew he suffered, and I didn't have to.
Is what we're currently seeing in the world more of the same? Is everyone out for revenge? Is there any possibily of legitimate reconsciliation? Or is this it? Hatred, spite, vitriol, revenge, division? Or are the drivers pride, belief, honor?

2023-09-24 11:59:18 UTC

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Nothing more comforting and homely than a shed.

2023-04-18 07:47:42 UTC

#[0]
Can anything be done about settings being remembered? When I reload the page, it reverts back to "real time". love you <3

2023-04-17 09:14:20 UTC

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7:13
#blessid
🙏

2023-04-12 12:21:13 UTC

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gm Derek. Hope your Thursday is amazing.

2023-04-12 09:47:13 UTC

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This IS my favourite band.

2023-04-12 08:14:30 UTC

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Side note; It was something that was talked about a while ago, but I don't remember if it was something that was, could be or will be implemented within nostr. I'd love to have posts from my subs sent directly to my nostr DMs as a link, rather than an email, since I don't check my email often enough (rarely anything important). Is this something you might be able to look into? Or find out if someone else already has?

2023-04-11 08:34:30 UTC

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Holy shit.
Makes me think of Metalocalypse style cartoon brutality.
Side note, #Iris needs to not jump the page down when it loads new notes. Put them in a "load new notes" button on the top of the page or something (Iris dev; Im using beta.iris.to) I had to scroll and find my position 4 times because it kept refreshing on me.

2023-03-11 23:53:13 UTC

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Anyone got a good of Julie Andrews sound of music spreading zaps? Needs to go here

2023-03-09 05:13:26 UTC

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https://i.imgur.com/HinlIuY.jpg

2023-03-06 22:20:28 UTC

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<3 #[16]