I am thankful for the Stoics (like Epictetus, Marcus Aurelius, and Seneca). They sought and explored the dreams and ideals of personal freedom in great detail. Many think of them as boring and emotionless people incapable of expressing themselves well. However, that concept is quite false. Stoics do not ignore or suppress their emotions. They minimize their instant reactions to them. Emotional freedom is one of the greatest gifts we can discover and hone during this lifetime. To be able to see and feel your emotions while still steering your own ship. Not giving up the wheel and your current course’s heading to anger or sadness. Stoics strive to maintain constant self-control.
Freedom is the only worthy goal in life.
-Epictetus
It is won by disregarding things that lie beyond our control.
Freedom is a hard-fought battle that we struggle with daily. It can be easy to let our ego or emotions step in if we are not careful. When we begin to rush through the motions, how mindful are we? How free are our thoughts in those moments? Are we being held captive by past ruminations or future worries? The key here is to become aware of these occurrences. If you start to notice these distractions and hiccups in presence, then you can begin to identify root causes to improve upon in order to reduce and eliminate repetitive restrictions from reappearing. I strongly sugjest embarking upon the slow and subtle task of becoming your ship’s sole captain. Stand free independently. Master each moment.
No [person] is free who is not master of [themself].
-Epictetus
Why are lanes and guardrails so important? We can contain and define our personal playground and our singular sandbox. Then, we can find our freedom in the free play. Find your way. Steer your ship. If others bump up against you, will you get upset? You still have that choice yourself. Are your emotions choosing your reactions, or are you guiding your own actions and goals? The wind does not matter to a ship at sea if it has no end destination charted. Do you have a plan? Mindlessly putter, or purposefully decide.
Our ultimate freedom is the right and power to decide how anybody or anything outside ourselves will affect us.
-Stephen Covey
One story that I love deals with an empty boat. While someone is sleeping on their ship, they are suddenly awakened and disturbed by a boat bumping into theirs, disrupting their rest. Instantly enraged, this person begins to scream and shout, hurling insults at the other vessel. However, as the view clears, the other boat is empty. It is simply floating along with the waves and the current of the sea. Was the instant reaction needed? No. Yet how often do we slip into such behavior? This lesson is what the Stoics try to teach us. Effective emotional self-control can preserve and enlarge our personal freedom.
The end of law is not to abolish or restrain, but to preserve and enlarge freedom.
-John Locke
Feel your emotions. Do not ignore them or stuff them down, but do not let them steer your ship. Mindfully guide your own way throughout your days according to what you feel is best to do and say, okay? Live your life free and virtuously as the Stoics wished.
Maybe it is wise. Maybe it is dumb. Time will tell.