Stoic philosophy was first introduced to me through Ryan Holiday, when I was shipwrecked.

Daily Stoic (DS) Aug 26: SEEKING OUT SHIPWRECKS

“I was shipwrecked before I even boarded . . . the journey showed me this—how much of what we have is unnecessary, and how easily we can decide to rid ourselves of these things whenever it’s necessary, never suffering the loss.”

—SENECA, MORAL LETTERS, 87.1”

Summer of 2019, I had no money.

Jobs in media production come and go.

Luckily I had a family who supported me through this hardship, financially and emotionally.

But spiritually, and creatively, Holiday helped me.

Ryan Holiday is a best-selling author, marketer, entrepreneur, and media strategist.

He wrote books on Stoicism, including "The Obstacle is the Way," "Ego is the Enemy," and "Stillness is the Key."

He also wrote books on marketing, and business, such as "Trust Me, I'm Lying," and "Perennial Seller."

“The Obstacle is the Way” comes from Ryan’s reaction to reading “The Meditations” of Marcus Aurelius, a compilation of a true philosopher-king’s innermost thoughts and feelings.

Marcus reflects on the nature of virtue, the importance of self-control, the transience of human life.

Important thoughts Hinduism also had me face in my upbringing.

The importance of living in accordance with reason, with the natural order, focusing on the inner life rather than external.

What is inside can be controlled, what is outside usually cannot.

Ryan introduced me to Zeno, Cato, Seneca, and of course, Marcus.

I enjoy Ryan’s modern writings of Stoic philosophy as much as I do the ancient writings.

I read “Daily Stoic” daily, in addition to “Daily Drucker,” to remind myself not only to try and manage the situation, but also to remember, what is within my control and what is not.

I can teach a student. But I can’t make them learn. External.

I can follow the crowd. External.

Or I can also stand alone, unafraid of being the odd one out. Internal.

Zeno, set on a Mediterranean voyage, was shipwrecked.

I made a prosperous voyage,” Zeno later joked, “when I suffered shipwreck.” -

Edward Norton, Narrator in Fight Club, meets Tyler Durden, he says: “It’s only after you’ve lost everything, that you’re free to do anything.”

So you, reader, have that difficult conversation. Be Stoic about it.

You will not die from it, if anything consuming the poison immunizes you from future attempts to poison you.

You will grow from every difficult conversation you have.

Stay Stoic, my friends.

-A.M.