There are some folks that study Stoicism for years and skate through life without encountering obstacles or harsh events. One part of me is happy for them not having been curb-stomped by life on several occasions. I sometimes reflect on the events in my life and think how “nice” it would have been not to have faced the death of loved ones, financial hardships, serious illness, etc. I’ll not bore you with the details, but know that my path in life has not been easy. Adopting and living Stoicism is what made it much more bearable.

I can state that it was stoicism that gave me the mental toughness to make it through all the obstacles and difficulties I have faced. Having developed a strong mental fortress that was able to rationalize events allowed me to weather those storms. I understand that I only have control of my mind and do not have control of outside events. Stoicism allowed me to bravely face the hardships, regardless of their emotional severity.

Stoicism gives me a positive attitude that allows me to move forward in this wonderful life with a mindset that knows how to think clearly and rationally during times of chaos and hardship. You will not find me in a fetal position, sobbing, and wishing for things that are impossible. I will face all hardships and awful events head-on, and so can you. Additionally, living Stoicism is become a major part of me and who I am.

The old Stoics said that a person must live their philosophy and not just study it. I completely agree with that statement. Becoming stoic is a process of taking the teachings and continually applying them to yourself. Over a period of time, you gain an understanding of exactly how and what to think when faced with all the events, both good and bad, that life offers. That is when the Stoic teachings become a part of you. You will exhibit a mental toughness that others will notice. You’ll have the correct mental foundation to handle harsh events in your life. You will be living stoicism.