The path to happiness is paved with the appreciation of what we have in this moment.
The Stoics were an ancient group of philosophers who developed a school of thought about living. Their goal was to devise a system for pursuing happiness that could withstand the harsh realities of the world and consistently lead to a better life—no matter one’s circumstances.
In many ways, their philosophies were a huge success. The writings of the Stoics endure today—thousands of years later. In recent years, their influence has spread even further through blogs and podcasts explaining and expanding upon their work. Well-known people as diverse as Tom Brady and J.K. Rowling have spoken of the usefulness of the Stoic teachings in their own lives and lines of work.
Did the Stoics get everything right? Of course not. No human philosophy could ever reach that level of perfection or apply to all people across all times and cultures. However, there is deep wisdom in what they taught, and many of those lessons have been useful to me in my 21st-century life.
7 Stoic Pathways to Intentional Living
I’d like to share some of the Stoic insights I have found most helpful in my efforts to live intentionally and make the most of this one life I’ve been given. I hope my meditations inspire you to read more about this incredibly thoughtful philosophy.1. Discomfort as a Path to Personal Growth
Humans are comfort-seeking creatures, but I have come to believe that it is through the struggle and frustrations of discomfort that we grow. An impactful example in my life has been raising four children—all still younger than the age of 10. The effort is, at times, physically and emotionally taxing, but I know that fatherhood has shaped me in more positive ways than a life of freedom from those responsibilities ever would.2. Focus on What You Can Control
Each day, we are presented with the choice of where to let our minds wander. Will we let it run to uncertainties and unknowns—such as the health of loved ones, future employment, or who will hold political office? Or will we clear such mental clutter to focus on the work before us and love the people around us? The latter is the simpler, stoic choice and a wise one.3. Live in the Present Moment
There are moments in my past I wish I could redo, and there are aspects of my future that sometimes fill me with anxious thoughts. However, all I truly have is this moment as I type out these words with thoughts of those who will soon read them. Thoughts of anything else take us away from the experience of the present moment.4. Focus on the Process–Let Outcomes Fall as They May
We strive, struggle, and aspire to do great things, but there are influences beyond our control. While it is sometimes healthy to daydream about a better future, it is too often a means of escape from the present and the work that needs doing. Instead, the Stoics encouraged an appreciation for the work itself and a focus on improving your craft—training yourself to be nearly indifferent to the material results that follow your actions.5. Anger as a Clue–You Have More Work to Do
For many people, anger is a sign of strength and determination, but to the Stoics, it was a warning sign. In these imperfect human bodies, anger is often a sign of emotional weakness, they taught. It was an indicator that the external world pierced your inner tranquility.6. Happiness Equals Reality Minus Expectations
Happiness is an inner state intimately tied to our expectations. The Stoics highlighted an important point: It is much easier to lower our expectations than to improve the world around us—of which we have limited control. I’ve applied this lesson to my life by adjusting my expectations of family vacations. Rather than setting an expectation for relaxation or uninterrupted bliss, I see it as a time to build enduring memories with my family and draw closer together.7. Find Joy in What You Have
Our desires are nearly insatiable—a truth recognized by many religions and emphasized by the Stoics. While it can feel good at the moment to imagine a bigger home or fancier vacation, you are only setting yourself up for disappointment if you fail to attain them. In our mind, such desires can seem like they are already yours, and what is really here feels like a letdown. The option is to look around you and within yourself, take stock of all that you have, and see with fresh eyes how good you have it now.
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