Do What Is Necessary From Daily Stoic

This is a time of uncertainty. It is a time of change. It’s a time when options have been eliminated, when hard choices are being made.
This is a time of uncertainty. It is a time of change. It’s a time when options have been eliminated, when hard choices are being made.
What does a Stoic do? When they’ve lost their job? When their income has dropped by half? When they’ve had to bury a sibling or a grandparent, or shutter a business or a close out a dream?
They do what is necessary.
This is a constant theme in Marcus Aurelius’s Meditations. Here was a man supporting a large family, with a difficult job, facing a plague, facing enemies, facing his own ill-health. Yet time and time again he reminds himself: My priority is to be good. My duty is to serve. I will not waver. I will not quit. I will not be heard complaining. I will keep going, unswerving, to the finish line.
In his time, this was what it meant to “be a man,” or “to be a Roman.” But the Stoics also knew that there is nothing gendered or nationalistic about those four critical virtues of courage and justice and moderation and wisdom. There was nothing “ancient” about them either. Because they are what you’re called to do today. They are the answer to that question you and so many people are being forced to ask yourself right now.
What do you do?
You must do what is necessary. You must be brave, good, wise, and self-disciplined. Today and always.