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The philosopher’s guide to managing stress
“If you are distressed by anything external, the pain is not due to the thing itself. It is due to your estimate of it, and this you have the power to revoke at any moment.” – Marcus Aurelius, Roman emperor and philosopher Marcus Aurelius was the last emperor of the Pax Romana, an age remembered for peace and stability that lasted from 27 BC to 180 AD. Today, Marcus Aurelius is best known for his Meditations, a collection of writings on Stoic philosophy. His timeless wisdom has inspired monarchs, politicians, entrepreneurs, and ordinary people like me. Today’s quote from Meditations gives us a tool for handling stress. When a distressing event occurs,…
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A little encouragement
“Be an encourager. The world has plenty of critics already.” ~Dave Willis The hilarious mug in today’s photo is a birthday gift that I’ve been enjoying ever since I unwrapped it. I never thought of myself as a “badass,” but I break into a smile each time I fill it with morning coffee. It’s a small reminder of how good it feels to be encouraged, especially on gloomy days like this one. Note to self: Find ways to encourage others who might need an extra boost too. After all, everybody’s muddling through the start of an unpredictable year. All of us carry a load of worries and problems along with our…
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How to handle bullies
“When you set healthier relationship standards in your life, some people will take it personally. That’s their issue, not yours. The distance you need isn’t against them; it’s for you. It’s a boundary, not a grudge.” ~Steve Maraboli Lately I’ve been thinking about bullying and how it seems to have replaced civility as a social norm. I’m not on board with this. Bullying isn’t limited to the school playground or the political arena. Whether we’re working, socializing, or driving, we might encounter a few bullies — men and women who don’t play fair. Bullies aim to have the upper hand in a variety of ways, a few of which aren’t…
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“Goodbye to You”
“When I loved myself enough, I began leaving whatever wasn’t healthy. That meant people, jobs, my own beliefs and bad habits — anything that kept me small. My judgment called it disloyal. Now I see it as self-respect.” ~Kim McMillen January is the month for making major changes. This year, for instance, I’m meeting the Dry January challenge and limiting sugar in my diet. Today’s quote speaks to that idea, reminding us that we need to leave behind anything that threatens to “keeps us small” as we try to move forward. As you work on your own goals, think about these questions: How do I spend my free time? What…
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Look for the helpers
“When I was a boy and I would see scary things in the news, my mother would say to me, ‘Look for the helpers. You will always find people who are helping.’” ~Fred Rogers As Mister Rogers reminded us, there’s always hope and healing wherever you find the helpers. Late last week, for instance, I had two minor emergencies (one more critical than the other) that sent me in search of medical help. Despite the stress of it all, I was amazed at how quickly two of my doctors were able to see me — almost immediately — when I called their offices for advice. I can’t begin to express…
