Lifestyle Archives

How to Solve Problems the Stoic Way

What does Stoicism have to say about problem-solving? What would a true Stoic do when faced with a problem in life? The cornerstone of the Stoics’ problem-solving philosophy is that you can find a silver lining in any circumstance in your life, no matter how dire it seems. Even if the only benefit you can find in an obstacle is an opportunity to practice acting virtuously, for instance, by restraining your anger or forgiving a misdeed, you’ve gained something of value. With this in mind, here’s how to solve problems the Stoic way, according to Ryan Holiday.

Seeking Validation From Others Won’t Make You Happy

Do you seek validation from others—whether that be online or in-person? Why is that setting an impossible goal? In a world that is focused on social media and external validation, many people have started to seek happiness through the approval of others. The problem is that other people’s opinions are out of your control and if you rely on them for happiness, then you don’t control your own happiness levels. Continue below for an in-depth look at how seeking external validation can affect you.

A Personal Relationship With God: Obedience Is Central

What does it mean to have a personal relationship with God? What is the role of obedience in this relationship? Dietrich Bonhoeffer explains that a personal relationship with God is how discipleship works—and that obedience is at the center. A true disciple seeks to obey Jesus. Keep reading to learn about obedience within a personal relationship with God.

How to Live a Fulfilling Life: 4 Tips for Happiness

Do happy people see the world differently than others? Can you choose to be happy or does happiness depend on circumstance? In their book The Courage to Be Disliked, Kishimi and Koga argue that happiness is a mindset and a choice. They outline the four ways that happy people choose to see the world that sets them apart from unhappy people. Here’s how to live a fulfilling life by changing your mindset.

Contrasting Perspectives on Fasting for Spiritual Growth

What is fasting? How does it contribute to spiritual growth? Dietrich Bonhoeffer, in his book The Cost of Discipleship, urges Christians to practice fasting for spiritual growth. He argues that the suffering that comes from fasting builds self-discipline. Other religious traditions differ in some ways regarding their views toward fasting, but many still see it as a part of spiritual life. Read more to learn about fasting for spiritual growth.

Contrasting Religious Views on Poverty

What are the various religious views on poverty? How do they perceive wealth? In the Christian classic The Cost of Discipleship, Dietrich Bonhoeffer argues that Christians should build wealth in heaven, not on earth. He asserts that earthly belongings contribute to worry, as we have more to lose. However, some religions—even other Christian traditions—disagree with him. Continue reading to learn about various religious views on poverty.

The 3 Worst Habits of Chronically Unhappy People

Does approval from others make you happy? Do you struggle to form healthy relationships? Do you think you may be chronically unhappy? Someone who is chronically unhappy likely wants to be happy but is in the wrong mindset. Chronically unhappy people seek validation from others, set impossible goals that can’t be met, and sabotage their own relationships with toxic behavior. Learn about the top three behaviors of chronically unhappy people so you can work to improve your mindset.

How Does Meditation Help? Lessons From Dan Harris

How does meditation help you in the long-term? What important life lessons can be learned from meditation? In his self-help book 10% Happier, previous self-help skeptic Dan Harris describes the many benefits of meditation. The top lessons he goes over are how to respond rather than act, how to worry productively, and how to be compassionate. Below, we will go over each of the lessons from meditation.

The Top 5 Quotes From The Courage to Be Disliked

Are you looking for The Courage to Be Disliked quotes? Why do Kishimi and Koga believe that happiness is a choice? In The Courage to Be Disliked, Ichiro Kishimi and Fumitake Koga argue that every problem you have in life has a single cause: You care too much about what other people think of you. This Japanese self-help bestseller is based on the theories of the 20th-century psychologist Alfred Adler, who believed that every individual has the power to break free from past traumas and find happiness. Below are five quotes from Kishimi and Koga with explanations and context.

How to Start Meditation: Advice for Beginners

Are you looking for tips on how to start meditation for beginners? What are the three meditation basics? Dan Harris is the former self-help and meditation skeptic who wrote the book 10% Happier. In his book, he explains how meditation changed his life and why everyone should do it. Here are Dan Harris’s meditation tips for beginners.