Looking for a better outlook on life? Having trouble looking at the glass half full rather than half empty?
If you want your thoughts and happiness to be in your control, look no further than the beliefs of Stoic philosophy.
My freshman spring semester of college, I took an introductory philosophy course. When our class got to the chapter on the Stoicism, the ideas I was exposed to helped me gain a better mindset.
Although Stoicism is as old as 3rd century B.C., it is a timeless life perspective, and it is relevant for anyone to live by.
Here are some quotes from Stoic philosophers that will positively impact your perspective:
1. "'We should always be asking ourselves: “Is this something that is, or is not, in my control?'”- Epictetus
If it is not, there is no reason to stress over it.
2. He is most powerful who has power over himself." -Seneca
Stick to a mind over matter mentality.
3. “The essence of philosophy is that we should live so that our happiness depends as little as possible on external causes.” -Epictetus
Don't let your happiness be controlled by what you can’t control.
4. “Man is affected, not by events, but by the view he takes of them.” -Epictetus
It's easier said than done, but we have the power to stop caring about what makes us distressed.
5. “The nearer a man comes to a calm mind, the closer he is to strength.” -Marcus Aurelius
It takes effort to live with a Stoic perspective and maintain a calm mind, but doing so makes you stronger.
6. "We suffer more in imagination than in reality." -Seneca
Our mind can make situations out to be worse than they really are.
7. “Your mind will take the shape of what you frequently hold in thought, for the human spirit is colored by such impressions.” -Marcus Aurelius
Thoughts are everything. Happy thoughts will simply create a positive mind. Bad thoughts will create a negative mind.
8. "You shouldn't give circumstances the power to rouse anger, for they don't care at all." -Marcus Aurelius
Situations that cause any type of negativity, distress, sadness, or anger due to circumstance are not worth the energy. If you're stuck in traffic causing you to be late, you can choose to be angry, or you can realize that there is nothing you can do to change the traffic, and just relax.
9. "The man who has anticipated the coming of troubles takes away their power when they arrive." -Seneca
Everyone goes through struggles in life. It's unavoidable and inevitable. Realizing that troubles are a natural part of life will help you accept them and grow from them.
10. Never Let the future disturb you. You will meet it, if you have to, with the same weapons of reason which today arm you against the present.” –Marcus Aurelius
The future can be scary and stressful, especially if you fear the unknown. However, the present you are currently in was once yesterday's future. You are here handling the present fine. You will be able to handle the future.
11.“It is not the man who has too little, but the man who craves more, that is poor.” -Seneca
As the saying goes, someone is happy with less than what you have.
If you try to live by these ideas, you will find yourself to be more at peace. The key to a calm mind is love, happiness, and a little bit of Stoicism.
