Issue No. 51

In life's unpredictable journey, we often find ourselves faced with the stark realization that everything we hold dear can vanish in an instant. This unsettling truth carries with it profound lessons on resilience and perspective, echoed in the teachings of Zeno of Citium, the founder of Stoicism.

Zeno, who lived around 300 BC, learned this lesson firsthand when he lost everything in a shipwreck. Arriving in Athens with nothing, he turned to philosophy for comfort, eventually teaching that true happiness doesn't come from external goods but from virtue and wisdom. He believed that if our happiness is tied to things we can lose—money, health, or relationships—then it's always vulnerable. However, if we find joy in what can't be taken from us—our character, our actions, our response to life's challenges—then we can remain steadfast, no matter what storms come our way.

Imagine working tirelessly for years to build a career, only for it to be unexpectedly taken from you. It's natural to feel lost and worried. Yet, Zeno would suggest that such moments, though tough, also present an opportunity to consider what's truly important. Is it the job title and paycheck, or is it the skills you've honed, the resilience you've displayed, and the new paths now open to you?

Think, too, about personal relationships, which can be immense sources of joy yet can also change or end. Stoicism teaches us to love fully and cherish each moment, while also understanding that everyone has their own journey. True peace comes not from trying to control others but from loving them freely, without clinging to outcomes beyond our control.

Our health, something we often take for granted, can also shift without warning. Here again, Stoicism offers wisdom: concentrate on what you can control, such as your reaction to illness or hardship, rather than what you cannot.

By embracing these principles, we aren't giving up on our dreams or withdrawing from love and ambition. Instead, we're learning to fully appreciate the present, to invest in what truly enriches our lives, and to cultivate a resilience rooted in our inner strength, not in the shifting sands of external circumstances.

As we navigate the uncertainties of life, let's hold onto the wisdom of philosophers like Zeno.

This insight can guide us to construct a life filled with meaning and joy, one that is resilient in the face of inevitable change.

Let this be a solemn reminder: treasure the moments, the people, and the experiences of today, for in the morrow, we may find ourselves walking a path we never anticipated. In understanding that everything can indeed be taken from us, we learn to hold lightly to the material, while embracing the eternal essence of our being—our capacity for love, for growth, and for resilience, no matter what life throws our way.

🗣️ Let your friends join us in this journey by telling them to sign up for Sunday Stillness newsletter here: aceapolonio.com

📖 Read the past issues here: Link

📨 Leave a message for me here.


Until next week,