The Daily Stoic - We Take The Bitter To Get To The Sweets

Episode Date: October 22, 2018

“The hunter worthy of the name always willingly takes the bitter if by so doing he can get the sweet, and gladly balances failure and success, spurning the poorer souls who know neither.”Theodore Roosevelt was talking about the philosophy of hunting when he said this, but he was also describing his philosophy of life. This is how the Stoic looks at things as well. So much of life is outside of our control, and indeed much of that is bitter. We set out to do something and we are quickly beset by challenges, by loss, by other people’s frustrating tendency to think about themselves over our needs. Yet we continue to put up with this. Not just because we have to, but because we know what’s on the other side is wonderful: friendships, success, excellence, life-changing experiences. It is said that Marcus Aurelius was dour, but his Meditations is full of odes to the many sweets of life. Seneca’s writing, too, captures life’s great balancing act--he speaks of how unpredictable and unfair fate can be just as eloquently as he speaks of joy and flourishing.If today ends up being another one of those days for you, try to remember what Roosevelt was talking about. Try saying to yourself, ‘I am taking the bitter to get to the sweet.’ Say, ‘It all balances out and I am lucky to have both when so many have neither.’ In this way you will not only grow stronger and more able to endure any misfortune that comes your way, but you will also be more grateful for and appreciative of the gifts you are given as well. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Hey, prime members, you can listen to the Daily Stoke podcast early and add free on Amazon music. Download the app today. Welcome to the Daily Stoke. For each day, we read a short passage designed to help you cultivate the strength, insight, wisdom necessary for living the good life. insight, wisdom necessary for living the good life. Each one of these passages is based on the 2000-year-old philosophy that has guided some of history's greatest men and women. For more, you can visit us at dailystoic.com. We take the bitter to get to the sweets. The hunter worthy of the name, Theodore Roosevelt wrote, always willingly takes the bitter, if by so doing, he can get to the suite, and gladly balances failure and success, spurning the poor souls, who know neither.

Theodore Roosevelt was talking about the philosophy of hunting when he said this, but he was also describing his philosophy of life. This is how the stoic looks at things as well. So much of life is outside our control. Indeed, much of that is bitter. We set out to do something on our quickly beset by challenges, by loss, by other people's frustrating tendency

to think about themselves over our needs. Yet we continue to put up with this, not just because we have to, but because we know that what's on the other side is wonderful. Friendships, success, excellence, life-changing experience. It is said that Marcus Aurelius was dour, but his meditations is full of oeds to the many sweets of life.

Seneca's writing too captures life's great balancing act. He speaks of how unpredictable and unfair fate can be just as eloquently as he speaks of joy and flourishing. If today ends up being another one of those days for you, try to remember what Roosevelt was talking about. Try saying to yourself, I am taking the bitter to get to the sweet, say, it all balances out and I am lucky to have both when so many have neither. In this way, you will not only grow stronger and more able to endure any misfortune that comes your way, but you will also be more grateful for an appreciative of the gifts you are given as well. I hope you will check out the Amor Fati Medallion that we have in the Daily Stoke store.

You know, at dailystoke.com slash store, you know, it's just something that I carry with me everywhere I go. Thousands of people all over the world do the same. And it's about, you know, taking the bitter with the sweet or getting the sweet from the bitter rather. And I hope you'll check it out. It's awesome. We haven't made here in the United States.

It's a place that's been made here in the United States. It's a place that's been in business for well over 100 years. And I think you'll like it. So dailystowach.com slash store. Hey, prime members. You can listen to the daily stowach early and add free on Amazon Music, download the Amazon Music app today, or you can listen early and ad-free with Wondery Plus

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