Stoic Strength Series #7

What is Stoicism?

Recently, I’ve had numerous inquiries about Stoicism lately, prompting me to shed some light on this ancient philosophy. My goal with this newsletter is to keep it concise so this will be a brief explanation, if you’d like a more comprehensive explanation, I recommend checking out an excellent post on The Daily Stoic.

Let’s dive in. Stoicism is an ancient philosophy that began around 300 B.C. in Greece founded by Zeno of Citium, Stoicism is a philosophy designed to cultivate resilience, happiness, virtue, and wisdom within individuals. It thrived throughout the Roman and Greek worlds until the 3rd century A.D. Central to Stoicism are its four main virtues: courage, temperance, justice, and wisdom. These virtues serve as powerful tools for honing the mind and navigating life’s various challenges.

In modern society, Stoicism is often misunderstood, yet it provides a solid foundation for what many strive to achieve – eudaimonia: a well-lived life. It encourages self-examination and equips us with the necessary skills to confront life’s trials. Similar to an exercise regimen or a nutritional plan, Stoicism operates on the principle of gradual progress rather than immediate perfection. Just as one engages in one rep at a time to build strength or focuses on one healthy meal at a time to improve nutrition, Stoicism encourages us to tackle life’s challenges one situation at a time and examine our thoughts as we do.

Personally, Stoicism has played a significant role in shaping my life, and I believe it holds immense value for anyone willing to explore its principles. So, as we journey together, I encourage you to embrace the wisdom of Stoicism and discover the profound impact it can have on your path to growth and fulfillment.

Strengthen Mind

“A man is as miserable as he thinks he is.”

-Seneca-

The way we perceive things has everything to do with how we let them affect us. You can always find the negative in a scenario but this is up to you. We can choose to see things in a different light. It doesn’t matter how big or small the thing is. We don’t have control over everything that happens in life but we always have control over how we perceive these things. This has been a continual pursuit for myself as I can tend towards the negative on many things but a shift in my perception and mindset often helps me not only live a more happy existence but a more fulfilling one. The next time you get stuck in the rain instead of complaining about it, look for the great gift it is, the fact you are alive and can feel the rain on your face and how it nurtures the earth.

It’s finding solace in our minds and with ourselves. Spend some time in stillness, sitting quietly for 5-10 minutes a day or journaling. See what comes up and what is it you are truly seeking for happiness. If you would like to receive these posts directly in your inbox, sign up for our newsletter!

Strengthen Body

Thoughts on today’s training session. Approach each set with full intent and focus. Remember it’s not necessarily about the quantity but more about the quality.

Superset:

Bench Press: 8 – 8 – 8 – 8

Banded Chest Flyes: 20-25 reps

Superset:

Dumbbell Bench: 12 – 12 – 12

Kettlebell Chainsaw Row(12/per side): 12 – 12 – 12 

Superset:

Dips: 15 – 15 – 15

Pull-ups(use a band to assist if needed): 8 – 8 – 8

Core:

Plank: Accumulate 5 minutes of a plank hold