February 15, 2018: Character

Musonius Rufus, Lectures, 16.75:15-16: For philosophy doesn't consist in outward display, but in taking heed to what is need and being mindful of it."

Uniforms are prevalent in our culture, police officers, clergy, bankers wearing suits, and the list goes on to help others in society identify who you are. People who are stoic do not have any identifiable clothing or jewelry, but are found usually by their character and their response to events.

I've found over the years, as I get older, my friends tend to be those with similar personalities and views on life. Some of my best friends practice stoic philosophy without even knowing they are doing it! As you go through the different parts of the philosophy and general ways to react, you will also find others with similar attitudes, and will probably realize many of your current friends already have this approach in parts of their life.

Today, I suggest as you meet and interact with your closest friends, try to identify stoic principles they are using without their knowledge of it, maybe even comment to them about how they reacted to a certain topic and how that fits stoicism. This will help you expand your knowledge of it and also encourage you to practice it more day by day.

Remember the goal is to increasingly practice stoicism, nobody starts at 100%, and each day you should try to increase , and at some point you will not even realize you are trying, and will just be part of your own and your closest friends personalities.