You Can Do Something About This | Train To Let Go Of What’s Not Yours | The Daily Stoic

Intro

In this episode of “The Daily Stoic” podcast, the focus is on the importance of caring for others and letting go of what is not truly ours. The hosts discuss the reality of hunger in today’s world and how Stoicism teaches us to be mindful of our actions and responsibilities towards others. They also highlight the impermanence of things and the significance of cherishing the present moment. Additionally, information about a fundraising initiative for Feeding America is shared.

Main Takeaways

The Importance of Caring for Others

• The Romans, like Americans, loved feasting and gatherings, but their writings rarely mentioned the experience of hunger, which is a reality for many people today.
• 1 in 8 households in the US experiences food insecurity, with over 13 million children not getting enough food to eat, and globally, more than 780 million people go to bed hungry.
• Stoicism teaches that indifference and callousness towards those suffering is harmful to ourselves, and it is our duty to care for and serve others.
• Hyroclease, a Roman Stoic, spoke of circles of concern, emphasizing the importance of caring for as many people as possible and doing as much good for them as possible.
• The Daily Stoic is raising money for Feeding America, aiming to provide three million meals for families across the US.
• Together, we can make a small dent in a big problem by helping those in need, and even a small contribution can make a huge difference.
• Donations at dailystoic.com/feeding help feed 10 people for every dollar donated.

Letting Go of What’s Not Yours

• Stoic philosophy teaches letting go of what’s not yours.
• Epic Titus’ Discourses emphasizes treating things as fragile and mortal, not truly ours.
• We must remind ourselves that everything is fragile and mortal, including our accomplishments and possessions.
• The Zen story of a man who repeatedly tells himself “the cup is already broken” illustrates the impermanence of things.
• Realizing that everything is temporary helps us appreciate and be present in the moment.
• We are constantly losing the people we love as they grow and change.
• Understanding that nothing lasts forever allows us to cherish and appreciate what we have in the present.
• Epictetus reminds us that our loved ones are not possessions but temporary gifts.
• We must avoid taking our loved ones for granted and mistreating them.
• Loss is inevitable and fearing it only brings grief, but we must acknowledge it.
• We are all mortal, and no amount of accomplishment changes that reality.
• We should live, act, and treat people with the awareness of our mortality.
• Live and act accordingly before it’s too late.

Summary

The Importance of Caring for Others

The podcast episode begins by highlighting the stark contrast between the Romans’ love for feasting and gatherings, which rarely mentioned hunger, and the reality of food insecurity faced by millions of people today. Stoicism teaches that indifference and callousness towards those suffering is harmful to ourselves, emphasizing our duty to care for and serve others. The hosts discuss Hyroclease’s concept of circles of concern, encouraging listeners to expand their care and do as much good as possible. The Daily Stoic’s fundraising initiative for Feeding America is also mentioned, inviting listeners to contribute and make a difference in the lives of families in need.

Letting Go of What’s Not Yours

The Stoic philosophy teaches the importance of letting go of what is not truly ours. Epic Titus’ Discourses highlight the fragility and mortality of things, reminding us that our accomplishments and possessions are temporary. The hosts share the Zen story of a man who repeatedly tells himself “the cup is already broken,” illustrating the impermanence of things and the need to appreciate the present moment. They discuss how we constantly experience loss as the people we love change and grow, emphasizing the importance of cherishing and appreciating them while we can. Epictetus reminds us that our loved ones are not possessions but temporary gifts, urging us to avoid taking them for granted and mistreating them. Acknowledging the inevitability of loss and living with the awareness of our mortality allows us to live and act accordingly, making the most of our time.

Conclusion

By caring for others and letting go of what is not truly ours, we can cultivate a mindset of compassion and appreciation. Stoicism teaches us the importance of expanding our circles of concern and doing as much good as possible. Through the fundraising initiative for Feeding America, listeners have the opportunity to make a meaningful impact on the lives of families facing food insecurity. Additionally, embracing the impermanence of things and cherishing the present moment allows us to live with awareness and gratitude. By applying these principles in our daily lives, we can strive for a more fulfilling and compassionate existence.