Stoic Week Supplemental

The 3rd Annual Stoic Week is here and I hope you are as excited as I am to participate! Oh, wait. I mean I expect we are all cool, calm, collected, and willing to take part in Stoic Week, fate willing.

I've just completed a review of this site, looking for articles that apply to each of the week's topics. The outstanding Stoic 2014 Handbook already provides a lot to chew on, but if you find yourself wanting additional material to keep your day focused on the topic at hand, I hope these resources are helpful.

Also, if you want to discuss the week with me, feel free to comment on this site or on the Immoderate Stoic Facebook page.

Central Stoic Ideas

Stoic Emotions...All Three of Them
Citizen of the World
The Stoic Love of Community (published by Stoicism Today)

Stoic Week: Your Daily Routine

How to Meet the Morning

Monday: What is in Our Power?

Stoic in a Crowd (Controlling our thoughts rather than the situation)

Tuesday: Stoic Mindfulness

Infernal Monologue: Fighting non-Stoic Thoughts

Wednesday: Self-Discipline and Stoic Simplicity

Seems that the Immoderate Stoic doesn't have much to say about self-discipline. Imagine that!

Thursday: Virtue and Relationships with Others

Friday: Action and the Stoic Reserve Clause

Ultrasounds, Superstition, and the Bitch Named Fortune (This personal post touches on many topics, but I post it here to show the practical use of Stoic principles to focus on actions that matter instead of thoughts that are unreasonable)

Saturday: Preparation for Adversity

Stoics Expect the Spanish Inquisition

Sunday: The View from Above

A Short Meditation: Here is Today

Stoic Week Starts Nov 24th!

Stoic Week begins next Monday, so here's what you need to do to prepare.

Wait. Why should you even participate in Stoic Week? Ok, I'll bite. Here are three reasons.

One: Stoic Week is testable.

As part of Stoic Week, all participants are asked to take a series of well being/attitude tests at the beginning and end of the week. I know, tests aren't everyone's idea of fun. But how many philosophies, religions, self-help practices, etc... do you know that hold themselves up to this sort of scrutiny? The Stoic Week organizers actually want to know if they did you any good and what, if anything, specifically did that good. I believe that is pretty cool.

Two: Stoic Week is a week.

I mean, come on, you can practice Stoicism for a week. I've reviewed this year's Handbook for the event and it is seriously well designed. In one week you will have a very good sense of what Stoicism has to offer. Why not join the party for a week? We've been helping people thrive since 300 B.C.E.!

Three: You're reading this blog.

Don't let me be the only voice of Stoicism in your life. I'm immoderate, for Zeus's sake! I mean, I'm doing my best here but the Stoic Week organizers are pros. We can all grow our perspective of Stoicism together.

Ok. So what to do to prepare.

Sign up for the online class.
Fill out the questionnaires.
Download the 2014 Handbook and read a bit about Stoicism and this week's event.
Find some place to talk about your experiences. You can always join the Stoicism Group on Facebook, or talk to me on my Page.

So that's it. Go get ready.

After Stoic Week...a Stoic Life?

I hope you were as invigorated by Stoic Week as I was. It was a wonderful reminder that consistent practice of Stoic techniques leads to a contented and joyful life. In particular, I have a renewed respect for the necessity of a daily routine that includes reflection and meditation.

So what now?

Well, for those of us who already consider ourselves practicing Stoics, it's more of the same. I hope we work to be better Stoics and, perhaps, also take advantage of the community that's built up around Stoic Week.

For newcomers to Stoicism, hold onto that Stoic Week Guide! I'd suggest reviewing it often, it's a great primer. In the back, you'll find a list of books and other helpful things to get you moving along the stoic path. I have a similar list on my Resources page.

Beyond that, practice Stoic triage daily. By which I mean, ask of everything, "is this in my control or outside of my control?" If a situation is outside of your control, don't worry about it. Instead, apply your energy towards those things that are in your control, your attitude, your actions, etc... Building up a continual mindfulness concerning what is and is not within your control is fundamental to our philosophy. Practice, practice, practice.

Lastly, you'll find that I've categorized a number of articles on this site. I've by no means covered the whole of Stoic philosophy, but I hope that there are a few tidbits there that you'll find helpful. Unfortunately I can no longer wish you a stoic Stoic Week, so instead I'll wish you good fortune!