Dear Bernard,,

Are you a social media person? You know, the type that scrolls Facebook, LinkedIn, or Twitter (sorry X).

If you have tried to reach me on one of these sites you will know I don't keep up on these. I think I get on Facebook once a year to thank everyone for my birthday wishes. Not that I am trying to be anti-social, but it seems too easy to hit a "like button" or make comments you do not have to stand behind.

I have often referred to The Stoics and Stoicism. I have found these are not so much rules for life, but instead, guidelines. Think of them like the painted lines on the highway. A way to not crash or not to cause issues for others, but you are still able to go outside your lane when or if you need to.

However, if you are looking for guidance in your life, consider stoicism. I have condensed these traits down from a daily email I get from Dailystoic.com. This was sent to me this past Wednesday. As the title to my email stated, think of the following as your toolbox:

One Thing Per Day: A successful day for a Stoic is simple. It’s not about making more money, or becoming famous. It’s whether or not you got better at life, at living. 

Seek New Ideas and New Perspectives: We can learn something from everyone we meet, because everyone is better than us at something.

Act with Virtue, Remember Virtue: Have you ever stopped to ask why the four points on a compass—north, south, east, west—are called the “cardinal directions”? This is a reference to the cardinal virtues—courage, temperance, justice, wisdom—which guide us and tell us where to go. 

Stick to Time Tested Principles: If you treat each day as if it could be your last, you will easily weed out ideas, people, and actions that do not serve or make you a better person.

Embrace Obstacles: We can think of hardship in many ways: As failure. Unfairness. The end of the conversation. Or, we can choose—we can train ourselves—to see it a better way: as part of our fate. As a chance to learn. An opportunity to prove ourselves. 

Find a Community: We have to harness this power of community, not just to make ourselves better, but to make those around us better too. Because, after all, we’re all in this together.

To be clear, I am not saying these principles will make your life easier. However, with the stress the holidays may cause, the rush to get year-end issues wrapped up, or even the simple disagreements you may have with family or friends, they can be another aid to help you along your way.

If you would like to find out more about Stoicism, or even just get on the mailing list, click the link below to be taken to their website:



Visit Daily Stoic



As always, thanks for reading.

Bernie & Chad