Joel and Wifey: The Stoics must have had a great sense of humor or of the absurd, as ya’ll sure have a witty sense of humor. If you are from down south you say ya’ll , if up north you say “you guys”. In the desire to get out of New York and other northern communities , the up north rich have moved south and we call them the Up South people. Please go back to where you came from as we already have too many problems.
Two thoughts.
Money is like manure. Pile it up and it stinks! Spread it around and it makes things grow!
Happiness is like trying to catch a butterfly. The harder you try to catch one the more illusive it becomes, but if you just stand still it will light on your nose.
I don’t remember to whom to attribute this quote, but I think it applies here: the perfect is the enemy of the good. I propose to enjoy this holiday season without envy, anxiety, and hopefully, regret. And therefore truly enjoy the reason we celebrate!
Dec 1, 2023·edited Dec 1, 2023Liked by Classical Wisdom
Great advice.
It dovetails beautifully with some insights about the happiest nation on Earth, Finland. Apparently, appreciation for what one has, deeply engrained in Finnish culture, is much of the driving force.
We sure could use more of those attitudes here in the US. The rat race drives everyone nuts.
The more we focus on gratitude for what we have and the blessings we enjoy, the happier we will be. This doesn't mean we shouldn't strive for more and better, but we should never let our striving become an obsession. And comparison to others is never a route to happiness, whether the comparison is favorable or not.
For a long time now, I have tried to keep a stoic reserve, and not waste psychic energy on things I cannot change.
The events of the past 16 months have been especially rough for me. Things have taken a turn for the better, so it's not as difficult now as it has been, but my stoic reserve has been severely tested. Still, I can say, it has helped. I strongly recommend it. There are many things in stoicism that I'm not sure I agree with, but I strongly agree that we should not worry about things we cannot control.
Hola!! estas siendo un poco duro con la navidad y las fiestas acá en argentina, para nosotros son así! con mucho calor y mesones en el patio con 50 personas (este fin de año seremos 60 en mi casa, desde el viernes hasta el lunes), mucha bebida, comida y musica!
moriría del aburrimiento si la navidad o año nuevo fueran como en las peliculas de hollywood, familias de 6 personas compartiendo un platito de de comida!!! (no se como es en realidad)
mas allá de eso, sirve mucho lo que compartís, esta navidad, dada la situación del país, seguramente no pueda comprarle a mis hijos los regalos que pidieron y tengamos que recortar mucho! le voy a compartir el texto a mi mujer que anda un poco desanimada... saludos!!!
Dale C was part of my very early life on Long Island, East of Manhattan.
All of the “Grown Ups” were absolutely in love and in awe of his common sense and his urging to cast aside “Stuff” and find one’s smile.
This is going back the best part of 60 years, But I think it was his book “ How to make Friends and Influence People “ that had my parents and their friends in “ Suburban Ecstasy”. And Dale’s offices were in Garden City where we lived....
Dale Carnegie's 11th rule, inspired by Stoic philosophy, offers valuable insight: when we can't change our financial situation, we can change our attitude towards it. This perspective reminds us that contentment doesn't depend on external wealth but on internal peace. It's a timely message for those facing financial challenges, encouraging a shift in focus to what we can control - our response and mindset. 🌟🧘♂️💡
"...stop resenting what can't be changed". My New Year's Resolution for 2024.
Joel and Wifey: The Stoics must have had a great sense of humor or of the absurd, as ya’ll sure have a witty sense of humor. If you are from down south you say ya’ll , if up north you say “you guys”. In the desire to get out of New York and other northern communities , the up north rich have moved south and we call them the Up South people. Please go back to where you came from as we already have too many problems.
Two thoughts.
Money is like manure. Pile it up and it stinks! Spread it around and it makes things grow!
Happiness is like trying to catch a butterfly. The harder you try to catch one the more illusive it becomes, but if you just stand still it will light on your nose.
I don’t remember to whom to attribute this quote, but I think it applies here: the perfect is the enemy of the good. I propose to enjoy this holiday season without envy, anxiety, and hopefully, regret. And therefore truly enjoy the reason we celebrate!
Perfectly said!! I think if you proceed with the first two, the third will come naturally.
Great advice.
It dovetails beautifully with some insights about the happiest nation on Earth, Finland. Apparently, appreciation for what one has, deeply engrained in Finnish culture, is much of the driving force.
We sure could use more of those attitudes here in the US. The rat race drives everyone nuts.
https://www.nytimes.com/2023/04/01/world/europe/finland-happiness-optimism.html
The more we focus on gratitude for what we have and the blessings we enjoy, the happier we will be. This doesn't mean we shouldn't strive for more and better, but we should never let our striving become an obsession. And comparison to others is never a route to happiness, whether the comparison is favorable or not.
"I went to find a pot of gold
That's waiting where the rainbow ends.
I searched and searched and searched and searched
And searched and searched, and then—
There it was, deep in the grass,
Under an old and twisty bough.
It's mine, it's mine, it's mine at last....
What do I search for now?" Shel Silverstein
A beautiful description of the neverending want of more!
Feeling rich and happy is when you can use your eyes and ears to see the many beauties still
available in this world.Money is only a problem when one has too much of it and you are
afraid to loose it, have confidence in your self and money comes in its own time when you know
how to use it. Happiness is in your head.
Nice, timely post!
For a long time now, I have tried to keep a stoic reserve, and not waste psychic energy on things I cannot change.
The events of the past 16 months have been especially rough for me. Things have taken a turn for the better, so it's not as difficult now as it has been, but my stoic reserve has been severely tested. Still, I can say, it has helped. I strongly recommend it. There are many things in stoicism that I'm not sure I agree with, but I strongly agree that we should not worry about things we cannot control.
Very well said
Hola!! estas siendo un poco duro con la navidad y las fiestas acá en argentina, para nosotros son así! con mucho calor y mesones en el patio con 50 personas (este fin de año seremos 60 en mi casa, desde el viernes hasta el lunes), mucha bebida, comida y musica!
moriría del aburrimiento si la navidad o año nuevo fueran como en las peliculas de hollywood, familias de 6 personas compartiendo un platito de de comida!!! (no se como es en realidad)
mas allá de eso, sirve mucho lo que compartís, esta navidad, dada la situación del país, seguramente no pueda comprarle a mis hijos los regalos que pidieron y tengamos que recortar mucho! le voy a compartir el texto a mi mujer que anda un poco desanimada... saludos!!!
No te precupes - I was being a little 'tongue in cheek'. Siempre estamos disfrutando este pais :-)
Corroborating this essay, a reading suggestion: "The Golden Key" by Emmett Fox. It'll change your life.
Dale C was part of my very early life on Long Island, East of Manhattan.
All of the “Grown Ups” were absolutely in love and in awe of his common sense and his urging to cast aside “Stuff” and find one’s smile.
This is going back the best part of 60 years, But I think it was his book “ How to make Friends and Influence People “ that had my parents and their friends in “ Suburban Ecstasy”. And Dale’s offices were in Garden City where we lived....
The Best Stuff always comes back....eventually.
Thanks for Sharing.!
Dale Carnegie's 11th rule, inspired by Stoic philosophy, offers valuable insight: when we can't change our financial situation, we can change our attitude towards it. This perspective reminds us that contentment doesn't depend on external wealth but on internal peace. It's a timely message for those facing financial challenges, encouraging a shift in focus to what we can control - our response and mindset. 🌟🧘♂️💡
Robert from Beyond AI