You Are What You ReadUntil my twentieth birthday I had only ever read one book through all the way. Yes, one book. I was a literary noob, and I had never even considered the benefits of reading. After attending a seminar (you can read more in detail about this experience in my writing called The…
The Power of Examples – What Stoics Say About Mentors and ExamplesIn this short writing I would like to instill within you a deep respect and desire for positive examples. When I say “examples” I mean people who serve as guides for how you should live your life. Few people can achieve high acclaim without…
What if Your Plane Was Going Down?I’d like to ask you a very simple question, inspired by a brief few moments of my life. I was flying to Barcelona with three of my friends who were in my jazz quartet. We were flying there to join a large cruise ship and play jazz on-board for…
The Inner War – Our Battle to Live According to Our ValuesYou ask what it is that brings most unease to the soul? What causes the most torment in the minds of men and women? When is it that we feel most vulnerable and frightened? I offer you this answer; It is when we live contrary…
The Criticism That Comes With Life Change – Advice from EpictetusFor those who wish to live on purpose there is one thing to remember; not only must we surround ourselves with people who will take us higher, but we must also let go of those who are dragging us down or criticizing our endeavors.It is…
Start Your Day Like a Roman EmperorI was recently reviewing the journal entries of Marcus Aurelius (Roman Emperor and Stoic Philosopher) and I found a quote that inspired me to try starting my mornings like the Roman emperor himself. Marcus Aurelius writes the following passage:“Begin the morning by saying to thyself, I shall meet with…
What Kind of Student Are You? In my many hours spent reading letters by the Stoic Philosopher Seneca I have come to appreciate his many marvelous rants. When it comes to long, detailed, and passionate rants about people, not many come close to those written by Seneca.One of my all time favorite passages by Seneca is…
Life is Meaningless Without a GoalViktor E. Frankl was a Jewish psychologist who was imprisoned in a Nazi concentration camp throughout World War II. His book, Man’s Search for Meaning, in which he writes of his time in the camp, is a marvel of non-fiction and psychology. Frankl makes the argument that the true difference…
Laughter – The Miracle HealerI would like to write briefly on the power of laughter. Nothing, in my view, can do more good for the human spirit than to simply sit back and laugh. Laughter is the most joyous song of the heart; an expression of the highest form.The Jewish psychologist and Nazi concentration camp…
The Power of PerspectiveIn the battle against the negative mindset it is vital that we cultivate a more empowering perspective, and in doing so we can build a healthier attitude towards life and situations. Having a healthy perspective is knowing that no matter what happens, there is always someone who is worse off and in…
