वाचनकट्टा - 1 - " Focus on what matters " -

 

" Focus on what matters " - A Collection of Stoic Letters on Living Well  - By Darius Foroux

In this book, the author Darius Foroux has written wisdoms of Stoicism into 70 insightful letters and essays dealing with vital topics such as happiness, wealth, health and relationships. This book is a practical guide for mental clarity, peace and purpose.   Stoic philosophy teaches  how to fucus on what is within your control and let go distractions, comparisions and emotional feelings etc. 

The book has been categorised into two parts - inner world and other outer world.   Under the inner world - the topics - managing your emotions, thoughts, knowing yourself better, making better decision, living a fulfilled life, building a better version of yourself.  Under the outer world - pursuing wordly success, building weath, managing your career, being with people, dealing with hard time.

The book is worth is reading. 

Some of exceperts of Book - Focus on what matters -

Without accepting that we don't control  most things in life, we can never have lasting happiness. Getting concerned with things outside of our control is a habit.

Try this - when you are lease unfocused, or lacking motivation, grab a book about a topic you are interested in.

Not complaining about the price we pay is the key to happiness.

As Epictetus said , your goal in life is to, make the best use of what is in your power and take the rest as it happens.

Seneca said - what is good ? The knowledge of life.  What is bad?  - Ignorance of life.  To have knowledge of life, pursue wisdom in books, articles and through conversation with other people who are on the same. 

Epicteus said " Sheep don't bring their owners grass to show how much they ate.  Instead they digest it and produce milk and wool.  Similarly don't make a show of principles you life by your actions, how much you have learned and make it your own. 

The best way to inspire others is by being a good person and performing your duties in life no matter what happens.

If you have chosen a simple life, don't make a show of it.  If you want to practice simplicity, do so quietly and for yourself not for others.

Everyone has an opinion about everything.  But instead of listening to everyone, we need to listen more to ourselves.

Living a good life is about not getting distracted

Focus on what you control.  Live in agreement with nature.

Seneca says - Let the man who enters our house admire us rather than our furnishings.

Your self woth depends on the thing that can't be removed from you.

Epictetus said - When you are travelling by ship, you can go to the shore enjoy the scenery, collect shells or pick flowers.  But when you are called back to the ship, you need to drop

But in reality, we own nothing and nothing is owed to us.  We are guests who temorarily walk this planet.  This mindset shift has helped me.  I look at everthing in life as borrowed from someone I personally know.

Dedicate your life to wisdom.  It is the only way to live a consistently happy life.

Your physical and mental health are always more important.  So make sure you always do the thing that is in the best interest of thosetwo things.

If you want to live for yourself, you also want to keep things to yourself as much as you can.  There is no need to comment on everthing you hear and see.  Just let others be.

The key is that the happy people usually don't care about what others think.