Just be. Stoicism

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Learning to embrace stoicism

According to the Oxford dictionary, Stoicism, is defined as the endurance of pain or hardship without the display of feelings and without complaint. In other words, don't complain when a task is at hand which needs to be done by the end of the day.

In Ancient Greece, Stoicism as a school of thought is one of the dominant philosophical systems in the Hellenistic period. The Stoic school was founded around 300 BCE by Zeno of Citium - a reader of Socratic dialogues. Zeno also studied under Cynic Crates, and he was influenced by the teachings of Plato's Academy and the Megarian School.

Zeno was the founder of Stoic philosophy, he explained that there are three parts of what a makes a man Stoic:

It is through the natural order of nature and universal cosmos that we come to understand that it has been designed and made by a Divine Being - God. This God has established natural order of how celestial bodies are born and made, or how stars are made up of elements and gasses along with their colliding protons, neutrons, electrons, Helium, Hydrogen...etc...and no one can ever redefine or redesign these elements afterall before there was a coined term for "Physics" there was God.

Understanding the logical involves “the science [or knowledge, epistêmê] of speaking well”. An individual may indeed sound logical and firm if they know how to articulate their thoughts into words, their ideas into action, and their plans to solutions.

To become logical, one must discern factual from opinions or empirical beliefs. Hence, it is why Science exists for us to understand natural phenoma and learn how to observe the world around us as well as simply come up with sound and rational solutions that can define realistic boundaries of what is a justified opinion versus a real hypothesis based on investigation, evidence gathering, and analysis.

A well lived life is a state of happiness (eudaimonia). It is the goal or end (telos) of a human being's life - to be fully happy. This is very simple as happiness and contentment can be achieved by living a life full of virtuous actions, and taking accountability to one's personal responsibility and obligations.

A person can be simply happing by doing things well!

A Stoic Mind - A philosophical view of the human mind

A sense of self lies within how the mind shapes the soul and body. Our idea or notion of the "self" is simply defined on how our brains with its cognitive and rational faculties can thoroughly work in harmony with the body (flesh). However, a soul exists in the individual, a spirit, one that has been formed to give life or to simply breathe. As God also has poured the breath of life in the race of Adam and Eve.

The Greeks viewed the soul as the first and foremost principle of life; it is what gives vitality to the human body. Otherwise, if there is no such thing, humans would be a bag of flesh and bones with no consciousness, purpose, or rationality. We would be like animals, relentless and can easily fall into prey at the hands of nature's most catastrophic apex predators.

And so, a soul a exists in the human body as is the mind governs the bodily functions. The soul has a Divine connection to God hence, it is why we are always yearning towards the medium of faith and prayer to connect with Him who is always loving, compassionate, merciful, and slow to anger.

Choosing a healthy thought over intrusive ones

Sometimes our own rumination over the past events can make us feel stuck. It's better to let go. What has happened has already happened. What you may be experiencing; others have already gone through it. What you may be thinking; others have thought of it as well.

We must begin to shift our focus on what's grounded and real rather than engaging the delusional side of the mind and fantasizing - doing so can lead to be perpetually stuck in a mind prison.

Choose a healthy thought for yourself just as what you would say to your loving friend. An example will be, "I am glad I woke up 6:30 am today! And, I am proud of myself because of that!". Or, it can be a little self-love and self-advice like, "I look a little awful due to being dehydrated and sleep deprived, and so I must drink lots of water and sleep right!"

Living Virtously

Living life abided by virtues can lead to a more peaceful and contenting life. Good examples of virtues can be based on Christian ethics such as loving others, forgiving others, letting go of hate and resentment, and just being kind.

One must always remember to engage in personal duties and responsibilities. It can be very simple such as, submitting a well-done task that has been done as a result of discipline, diligence, effort, and hard work.

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