Home

Wise advice from a wise man. I’ve been playing with the idea for a long time and figured, well why not now. I am a beginner at this for sure and I am not researching as I am just going to ramble for a bit and see where this goes. Of course, the one and only Stephen King may sick a clown or an abnormally large slobbering dog on you if you don’t read just as much if not more. I do dabble in the occasional nightmarish Hell by the King (see what I did there) or a Grisham thriller, but at the moment am going back to the “Enchiridion” by Epictetus.

First, how did I happen to stumble upon an ancient philosophy? An interesting story (to me anyway), I was trying to find ways to be more productive at work and like so many other people decided that I just had to discover that magical think called a morning routine. You know, where you jump out of bed at 3 a.m. and chug a 42 oz. cup of bulletproof coffee whilst jumping into a cold plunge for 30 minutes? Yeah, me either. This lead me to Craig Ballantyne of Early to Rise Fame (no residuals), then to Tim Ferriss (no cash there, either), and then that lead me to Ryan Holiday (definitely no kickbacks). After hearing snippets about Stoicism from Ferriss and then really diving in listening to and reading Holiday books, Stoicism really began to resonate with me.

Throughout this blog, I will generally be writing for myself and anybody that also may need to learn what I have learned, and continue to learn. For I am not an expert or close to it. I am on my own journey and thought it may be a good idea to bring along some friends. I was very skeptical at first (not cynical) as I always thought of Stoics thinking as being emotionless. This could not be further from the truth. Stoics (with a capital s) focus on four virtues that aid in controlling how they react. The dichotomy of control they call it. You “simply” don’t worry about what is not in your control. You control what you do, say, think, etc. You do no control what is happening around you directly or in society. So we can just sit back and relax with the giant cup of Bulletproof. Oh yeah, those virtues? Courage, wisdom, justice, and temperance.

Seneca (I believe, see no research for this intro) said to treat each day as a new life. Strive to be a better person today than you were yesterday and tomorrow better than today. Be in the here and now for yourself, your family, your friends, co-workers, and in general the community. In my studies I will write, mingle with anybody that may actually read my ramblings, and maybe do a story or two about the main characters Stoicism has to offer.

One last thing, why the Coastal Stoic? The beach. The peacefulness of the ocean, the waves breaking, the seagulls scrambling and fighting over fish and chips (of the Ruffles variety), the setting sun and the end of day or the rising sun. For me, classic symbols of one life coming to a close and the rising of a new one to start fresh.

Welcome to Coastal Stoic.