I wrote this awhile back and even posted it here. Unfortunately, my old account got shadow banned, but it's a must repost. Now first of all, what is Stoicism? Stoicism is the endurance of pain or hardship without the display of feelings and without complaint. Most of us, I bet, have heard about 3 famous Greek Philosophers: Aristotle, Socrates and Plato. But, I want to talk about Stoicism because a lot of people don't know about it, and many confuse it with being emotionless or numb. Nope. That's not what Stoicism is. Stoicism is a philosophy which was invented in the early 3rd century. Combined with TRP it can lead a very incredible and a positive life. It allows you to minimize negative emotions and maximize your gratitude and joy. There were 3 principal Stoic leaders: Marcus Aurelius, Epictetus and Seneca.

Number 1. Emperor Marcus Aurelius was a big adherent of Stoicism and it helped him lead Rome for two decades. He wrote many things regarding Stoicism in his journals. Stoicism gave Emperor Aurelius a huge advantage in life and in his kingship. He led Rome through many disastrous battles, plagues and many hardships. But, he always kept his cool and he never was negative. He took whatever came at him, in a very stoic and positive way with the right mindset.

Number 2. Epictetus was born a slave. He founded his own school of Stoicism and taught many great minds, and one of them was the future emperor Marcus Aurelius. Epictetus taught everything, not just theoretical philosophy, but everything from the philosophy of life, how to handle different situations that we are faced with each day and greatly, how to master Stoicism in your day to day life to keep you calm and at peace. He taught us that all external events are beyond our control.

We should accept everything that comes to us calmly, because that thing is not in our control. But, however, each individual is responsible solely for their own actions. We cannot blame society or anyone else regarding decisions that we choose to take. Each individual is responsible for whatever they do that is in their control.

Number 3. Seneca was playwriter and one of Rome’s wisest broker ever. He wrote many books on Stoicism and was an adviser to Nero (Roman emperor). Key principles and beliefs.

Number 1. Live in agreement with nature. We men are rational beings. We use our common sense and logic and practicality in day to day situations, rather than basing everything off of emotions like women. "Living in agreement with nature" simply means behaving rationally in each and every situation like a human. Not basing anything off of emotions.

Number 2. Live by virtue. This makes possible ease, self-mastery, and joy in leading a morally good life. "The four cardinal virtues are prudence, justice, courage and temperance.

Number 3. Focus on what you can control, and accept what you can't. Many things in our day to day life are in our hands that we can control fully. But, many things aren't. Whether it's the weather, nature of women, politics, or the clown world, none of this in our control. So, we shouldn't worry. We should accept how it is, because even if we worry, what can you do about it? Nothing. It's not in our control, but what's in our control is accepting the cold hard facts and leading a virtuous life, which focuses on ourselves, and does better for humanity.

Number 4. Distinguish between good, bad and indifferent things. You must acknowledge in your day to day life, between what's right and wrong. Indifference doesn't mean coldness. You can't change them (AWALT) but take them as they are.

Number 5. Take action. The power to shape your life in whatever way you want is in YOUR hands. Take this opportunity and take action, and do something positive with it that will benefit you.

Number 6. Practice Misfortune. Ask “What can go wrong?”. For example, if someone was to smoke all their life, what would happen? Lung cancer and many types of diseases and cancers. So what we do? We tell them not to smoke because the consequences of their actions will nothing but harm them. Exact thing TRP does. We tell each of us and remind ourselves of the consequences of marriage by saying, "Never marry." Why? Most of us here know the whole game in and out, female nature and everything in between. Just imagine if the divorced men here whose wives made their lives miserable were to have all this knowledge? They would have been way happier and never made the mistake to marry. And now, they live in regret but at least they realized it. We have to make our brothers aware and make them wake up before it's too late. A famous saying goes "Iron sharpens iron, so one man sharpens one another."

Number 7. Add a Reserve Clause to your actions. Happiness is not found in being rich or having an expensive car or a big house. That "happiness" fades away very fast. Winning is the not the ultimate goal, rather the ultimate goal is being the best player, and playing the best you can, which ironically will lead to your win. Be the best you can, and it will do you good. It's the base. Rather than only thinking of winning and drowning in self confidence, which in the end does more harm than good. It's good to have high self confidence and ego, but always remember to be in limits. Your victories and over-confidence can lead to your destruction.

Number 8. Love everything that happens (Amor fati). Now, let's say something happened that we didn't wish for. What would happen? You either accept it or live in negative thoughts, which affects your mental health. What's the wiser option? Accept it. Stoicism calls this "The art of acquiescence." The first step is to accept it, and then the next step is to love everything that happens. Why? Because those things ultimately are not in our control.

Number 9. Turn Obstacles into Opportunities. You know why most people are always negative? They see obstacles as barriers and live in this deception that they cannot overcome it. There are many instances in life where you can turn those obstacles into opportunities for your own success. But you know what the catch is? Being stoic, and thinking everything through from all fronts and then analyzing everything and then coming to conclusions will lead you to success which many cannot do. Most people are a slave to their emotions, never be that. Be stoic.

Number 10. Be mindful. In this life, you have power over your emotions no matter what those emotions may be. You must remember, any emotion that you have, will either do you good or bad. One of my favorite sayings of all time is "Before thinking of a short term gain, first think of its long term effects." You must master the art of controlling your emotions and being practical and logical no matter what. And rather than thinking of the short term gain, think of the long term effects of that action. And be stoic when that thing is not in your control or hands. In the end brothers, it's truly AWALT and that is not in our hands. But what is in our hands is, how we accept it. And the best thing a man can do in the modern age is focus on himself, do good in whatever he can, and master Stoicism in everything that life throws at him. And being always very aware of his surroundings and mastering Machiavellianism.

Now. Some famous stoic sayings:

The best revenge is not to be like your enemy- Marcus Aurelius.

Waste no more time arguing what a good man should be. Be One. — Marcus Aurelius

You could leave life right now. Let that determine what you do and say and think.—Marcus Aurelius

He who fears death will never do anything worthy of a man who is alive.—Seneca

Life is very short and anxious for those who forget the past, neglect the present, and fear the future.—Seneca

You have power over your mind — not outside events. Realize this, and you will find strength.―Marcus Aurelius

Wealth consists not in having great possessions, but in having few wants.―Epictetus

True happiness is to enjoy the present, without anxious dependence upon the future, not to amuse ourselves with either hopes or fears but to rest satisfied with what we have, which is sufficient, for he that is so wants nothing. The greatest blessings of mankind are within us and within our reach. A wise man is content with his lot, whatever it may be, without wishing for what he has not.―Seneca Indeed.