Stoicism - PART 1 Introduction

The Stoic philosophy proposes that we, to an extent, ignore the part of the world that is out of our control. It suggests that we shall not respond emotionally to situations in which we are placed purely because the universe has decided to be cruel to us, and to instead accept this reality as part of a universal plan intended for our well-being. 

It points out that a Stoic should not be emotionless, but should care only about what is under his control. Throughout the start of my adulthood I have unconsciously attempted to follow a similar life philosophy, though I have struggled with comprehending the difference between controlling and burying my emotions. Ignoring our emotions will eventually catch up to us, some of us will use coping mechanisms like addiction or escapism practices to assist with avoiding certain thoughts.

These coping mechanisms can vary from person to person, and are harder to get rid of the longer you continue with them. Logically, this isn't sustainable if we ever want to be free. Knowing that your decisions and resources are completely yours, only then are you experiencing liberty. Living in addiction is living in a prison.

As you begin this journey to free yourself, you will at the same time be presented with the emotions you once buried and decided to never confront, this is where one's character will begin to be tested. Will you succumb to your previous way of life? Or will you be resilient enough to overcome the demons that will escape the dark prison that you created within yourself?

Indifference can make you undefeatable. It can also turn into apathy, and it will destroy you from the inside out. Not only will it affect you, but everyone around you who values you and expects to be valued by you, because at some point you will not only be indifferent towards negative attacks, but towards acts of love. You will try and fail to feel something for those who cherish you, but at the end of the day they will be placed in the back of the line, behind those demons that you never felt like dealing with.

It is then, when you will realize that you have no choice but to confront what you have been running from, this perhaps will mean that you will need some time to fight, and you will need even more time to heal. Give yourself the time you need to cool down, it won't be easy. It is always good to know that you still have support from the people around you, but this fight will mostly be fought alone. Focus and fight aggressively against whatever is keeping you from being free, because at the end of the day, no one else will be able to confront them but you. 

Hopefully you are able to beat these challenges and we can continue our journey for self-improvement which will include many more difficult tasks. Don't feel discouraged, the sooner you overcome this the better but you must be patient. 

Polaris

Gazing upon the dark night

Lies the castaway

As usual

He covers himself with his prickly quilt,

The only thing, in this cold region

That can give him a glimpse, of what he’s missing.

A painful remedy, one might say

Though what he fears the most, would be so great 

That a slow and painful night, he’d rather pay

Surrounded he is, by night crawlers and a few friendly apes

But who’s to say, only darkness seems to await.

As still as he can, the castaway must stay.

Perhaps, tonight could be the night

That the unfortunate man will be freed from his own mind

But many times, he’s been so close

To finding light, in this endless night. 

The cloudy sky begins to clear

Revealing a stunning, shiny light

The north star, man’s reliable guide 

It's shining bright, in the pitch black sky

In awe, the castaway’s eyes show a crumb of hope,

That the beautiful orb, will take him home

A pair of ghosts, as cold as they can be,

Whisper to his ear, the words you’ll hear:

“Trust not the glittering white, for it will take you to those same nights

Where hope is lost and freedom is scarce

Safe you are in your painful quilt 

You’ll slowly bleed, but soon you’ll find

That what they cherish, are just empty lies”

Castaway, you hopeless warrior

Why must you doubt the promised land?

Where men are free, and shine as bright

As that same star, that portrays life

In a moment of great might,

The man decides, it is tonight.

Slowly, the quilt is lifted, the castaway cries

As the painful scars of that barbed blanket

Which felt like silk to the untrained mind

Show their true extent, of hellish spite.

Insecure, the man stood up, 

And decided to leave where he grew up

As the man walked towards a new life

Not once, did he look behind

Not a day had passed, since he took this journey

Past a cabin, the man walked grinning,

To his surprise, there were two sisters,

That greeted him, and offered beverage.

As he approached the cabin door,

The woman gifts what he never thought,

A warm blanket, of the softest kind,

“Oh, what was I doing all this time?!”

As he moved on, the sky would cheer,

To the man that life, had given him tears.

The man gazed up, towards the star that’s worth

What the richest kings, would pay for rebirth.

Happily, the castaway began to run,

To a journey, that has just begun. 

Polaris, oh if you knew!

What you’ve accomplished 

You’d feel great too!