Stoicism

A Handbook for New Stoics: How to Thrive in a World out of Your Control; 52 Week-by-Week Lessons

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Driving home in the rain from this morning’s geocaching event, I reminded myself of the book A Handbook for New Stoics: How to Thrive in a World Out of Your Control—52 Week-by-Week Lessons. I had an eureka moment when I realized this would be a wonderful thing to set out to tackle here the first day of the year.

I’ve read the book previously, but did not work through it as intended; as a week-to-week workbook for a year. We’ll see how well I persevere doing so this time out. Frankly, everything is set up perfectly for this. With the first being a Saturday, I got the preparation stuff completed to begin fresh tomorrow with the first week’s lesson.

I have been unable to find the walk-through discussions I know exist for this book. They may be on Facebook. 🙁

Anyhow, here is the beginning quiz.

  1. I get really upset when I don’t get what I want or things don’t go my way.
  2. I put a lot of effort into avoiding things I don’t like or that I am afraid of.
  3. I spend a lot of time pursuing comfort and pleasure.

The reader is asked to rate himself on a scale from 1 to 10 for the above three statements. One equates to this Doesn’t describe me at all. Ten equates to this Describes me perfectly.

First off, I dislike scales like this. What’s the difference between a three and four? I don’t know and it consumes my effort to define these things. Secondly, the answers to the first two come down to what is being considered.

When I don’t get my way on where the children and I dine, it hardly bothers me. When I don’t get my way when I feel a student needs specialized help, it bothers me far more.

Likewise, I avoid what I perceive to be uncomfortable experiences. I don’t know how much effort is involved in not driving off a cliff, but I avoid doing so. Other things, I may put more effort into that are less dangerous, but still uncomfortable.

Nevertheless, allow me to forge ahead and state:

  1. 5
  2. 3
  3. 7

I support odd numbers, I gather.

An aside
I don’t know why I cannot read this with immersion reading on the Fire. I have both the Kindle ebook and the Audible audiobook. Most frustrating. I actually have a question into Amazon about this. We shall see if that is resolved.

Also blogged on this date . . .

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