Lou, I smiled a lot reading this, which is a stress-buster itself. Thank you! I'm ultra-sensitive to stress. But I'm right with you, Marcus, and the Buddha that everything depends on how we perceive, including stress. And that's something we can learn to manage: our own mind.
Thank you for the reminder, my friend! 🥰 I do better with stress than I used to, but super-sized stress - especially when it seems to come from multiple sources and directions - can still be challenging. I love your question! I will have to remember it. I imagine will help me return to center when I most need it. ❤️
You're spot on re stress being somewhat self-created by our own perception of it. (Not that some things aren't inherently stressful in their own right). Everytime I hear someone say 'I'm so stressed!' I want to enlighten them into how they can be less so. Not all are open to this though!
Oh I know what you mean. I know someone very dear to me who often says she's so stressed and DOES NOT like it when I try to even hint that they don't have to be sooo stressed! I've often wondered if she secretly "enjoys" being stressed. 🫢
Lou, your posts always bring some measure of relatedness and always a smile. I’m sitting here waiting for my flight to board at O’Hare and how ironic that you are sharing this story. Also, I read an excerpt from the Daily Stoic on most mornings, so your references are most appreciated reminders. Have a great week!
Ok the universe is definitely trying to tell me something. This time yesterday, I listened to a meditation teacher (Pascal Auclair) who also quoted Epictetus, and I wrote in my journal of reality vs my _judgment_ of that reality being the true issue, and now I read your words reinforcing it all. Thank you! I cannot always be as stoic as I’d like when reality drives me crazy, but these reminders make it clear how important it is to keep up the practice!!
The universe recruited me to send you a message 😉. I've been studying Stoicism for several years now, and it's still a challenge more often than not! We just keep practicing. But what you wrote in your journal is key! Cheers, Robin.
"Our brains are meaning-making machines." They really are, and sometimes they create narratives that are far more dramatic than reality. I’ve noticed that my mind often jumps to the worst-case scenario, constructing these elaborate stories of disaster from a tiny inconvenience. It's like my brain is a Hollywood screenwriter who loves a good tragedy. But when I step back and examine those stories, they usually fall apart. It's a reminder that my thoughts aren't always facts, and I have the power to rewrite the script. It’s a daily challenge to question the stories my mind tells me.
I love the “Hollywood screenwriter” image. So true. It’s wild how convincing those mental scripts can be in the moment, especially when they’re full-blown dramas with soaring soundtracks and tragic plot twists. 😅 I totally relate to the daily work of stepping back and questioning the narrative. Here’s to getting better at rewriting the script (and maybe giving our inner screenwriters a chill rom-com assignment instead!). 🤗
"If you are distressed by anything external, the pain is not due to the thing itself but to your own estimate of it; and this you have the power to revoke at any moment." -- that is a powerful quote. It takes time sometimes... but it is in your hands!
It is challenging at times because I just want to blame the other thing (person, event, etc.) but it is so worth the challenge to live by it. Cheers Corie!
Hi Paul! That you and I are so aligned is music to my ears! You know I'm a fan. 😊 Imma check out your LinkedIn post for sure; thank you for letting me know. Cheers!
Fantastic! You made me literally think, “I want to write and publish like that!” Your words are truthful and inspire me to keep going on this path even when it’s tough. The way you put the cute little lines and other pictures in the post are a nice touch. Thank you. This is definitely helpful and encouraging.
Hi Wendy. I'm sooo happy about your feedback! I'm grinning ear to ear. 😃 Thank you so much for your kind words; they are so encouraging. I wish you all the best with your writing. Cheers!
I love this question, Lou. What kind of person do I want to be in this situation? I think it's a great question to pose when we are engaging on-line as well. It's so easy behind the safety of a keyboard, when you are riled up, to be the kind of person you would never be in the real world. I think if we stopped and asked ourselves that question we could reduce a lot of the harm we are creating in the world. I sometimes like to ask myself the question, "What am I spreading and amplifying?" Thanks for this post.
Love how you’ve extended that question to online interactions, Cathy. It is so easy to forget our better selves behind a keyboard, especially when emotions are high. That question you ask—"What am I spreading and amplifying?"—is such a powerful one, too. I might borrow that! Thank you for sharing this, and for always bringing such grounded, thoughtful energy into these conversations. ❤️
Lou, I smiled a lot reading this, which is a stress-buster itself. Thank you! I'm ultra-sensitive to stress. But I'm right with you, Marcus, and the Buddha that everything depends on how we perceive, including stress. And that's something we can learn to manage: our own mind.
I thought of Wild Arisings and what you often write and remind us about, Sandra! Cheers!
Thank you for the reminder, my friend! 🥰 I do better with stress than I used to, but super-sized stress - especially when it seems to come from multiple sources and directions - can still be challenging. I love your question! I will have to remember it. I imagine will help me return to center when I most need it. ❤️
That question has been a game-changer for me. It's like a magic flip-switcher 🤗
You're spot on re stress being somewhat self-created by our own perception of it. (Not that some things aren't inherently stressful in their own right). Everytime I hear someone say 'I'm so stressed!' I want to enlighten them into how they can be less so. Not all are open to this though!
Oh I know what you mean. I know someone very dear to me who often says she's so stressed and DOES NOT like it when I try to even hint that they don't have to be sooo stressed! I've often wondered if she secretly "enjoys" being stressed. 🫢
Lou, your posts always bring some measure of relatedness and always a smile. I’m sitting here waiting for my flight to board at O’Hare and how ironic that you are sharing this story. Also, I read an excerpt from the Daily Stoic on most mornings, so your references are most appreciated reminders. Have a great week!
Hah! That is great timing! We've got one more thing in common: I read The Daily Stoic every day (or try to, anyway) 😊 Cheers Anne!
Ok the universe is definitely trying to tell me something. This time yesterday, I listened to a meditation teacher (Pascal Auclair) who also quoted Epictetus, and I wrote in my journal of reality vs my _judgment_ of that reality being the true issue, and now I read your words reinforcing it all. Thank you! I cannot always be as stoic as I’d like when reality drives me crazy, but these reminders make it clear how important it is to keep up the practice!!
The universe recruited me to send you a message 😉. I've been studying Stoicism for several years now, and it's still a challenge more often than not! We just keep practicing. But what you wrote in your journal is key! Cheers, Robin.
"Our brains are meaning-making machines." They really are, and sometimes they create narratives that are far more dramatic than reality. I’ve noticed that my mind often jumps to the worst-case scenario, constructing these elaborate stories of disaster from a tiny inconvenience. It's like my brain is a Hollywood screenwriter who loves a good tragedy. But when I step back and examine those stories, they usually fall apart. It's a reminder that my thoughts aren't always facts, and I have the power to rewrite the script. It’s a daily challenge to question the stories my mind tells me.
I love the “Hollywood screenwriter” image. So true. It’s wild how convincing those mental scripts can be in the moment, especially when they’re full-blown dramas with soaring soundtracks and tragic plot twists. 😅 I totally relate to the daily work of stepping back and questioning the narrative. Here’s to getting better at rewriting the script (and maybe giving our inner screenwriters a chill rom-com assignment instead!). 🤗
Oh I’d really love a chill rom-com. Like, please.
"If you are distressed by anything external, the pain is not due to the thing itself but to your own estimate of it; and this you have the power to revoke at any moment." -- that is a powerful quote. It takes time sometimes... but it is in your hands!
It is challenging at times because I just want to blame the other thing (person, event, etc.) but it is so worth the challenge to live by it. Cheers Corie!
Lou we are so aligned and more than you may think. My post on LinkedIn this past Friday:
"The problem is not the problem. The problem is your attitude about the problem."
I love it and love your writing.
Hi Paul! That you and I are so aligned is music to my ears! You know I'm a fan. 😊 Imma check out your LinkedIn post for sure; thank you for letting me know. Cheers!
Fantastic! You made me literally think, “I want to write and publish like that!” Your words are truthful and inspire me to keep going on this path even when it’s tough. The way you put the cute little lines and other pictures in the post are a nice touch. Thank you. This is definitely helpful and encouraging.
Hi Wendy. I'm sooo happy about your feedback! I'm grinning ear to ear. 😃 Thank you so much for your kind words; they are so encouraging. I wish you all the best with your writing. Cheers!
I love this question, Lou. What kind of person do I want to be in this situation? I think it's a great question to pose when we are engaging on-line as well. It's so easy behind the safety of a keyboard, when you are riled up, to be the kind of person you would never be in the real world. I think if we stopped and asked ourselves that question we could reduce a lot of the harm we are creating in the world. I sometimes like to ask myself the question, "What am I spreading and amplifying?" Thanks for this post.
Love how you’ve extended that question to online interactions, Cathy. It is so easy to forget our better selves behind a keyboard, especially when emotions are high. That question you ask—"What am I spreading and amplifying?"—is such a powerful one, too. I might borrow that! Thank you for sharing this, and for always bringing such grounded, thoughtful energy into these conversations. ❤️
Cheers, Tracy! Glad this landed for you!