These are a list of stoic mantras that I like.
Is your cucumber bitter? Throw it away. Are there briars in your path? Turn aside. That is enough. Do not go on and say, "Why were things of this sort ever brought into this world?"
This wonderful little gem is telling us to simply avoid the things we do not like, but don’t complain about their existence. There are things that are simply a matter of life. When I heard this quote I instantly thought of the drivers on the road who are always in a rush. The one’s with massive trucks that act like they are driving a sports car. It is the way of the world to have these types of driver, and by constantly raging at their very existence I do myself no favours.
I will do it, fate permitting.
I have a very bad habit of getting frustrated when something I have been planning to do gets derailed. But this mantra tackles that very frustrating. By understanding that there are things outside my control that may derail my plans it helps keep me from getting frustrated. Stoicism is all about focusing on what you can control, and accepting what you can’t.
Everything Changes
This is another powerful one that strikes me hard. I am very much a creature of habit. All my efforts tend to be towards maintaining the status quo. Yet life is truly nothing more than a series of changes. I am currently in the middle of a situation where I was heavily leaning towards the option of making sure as little changes as possible. After hearing this quote I stepped back and realized that decision would be to the determent of my family, and that embracing the coming change would benefit them and myself far more greatly.
Note
This will be a living document, one I will update as I come across new mantras that I feel are applicable in my life.