Back in 2007, many years before the Modern Stoic movement began advancing Stoic thought, Sharon Lebell wrote a book, The Art of Living which is a “new interpretation “ of Epictetus’ Enchiridion. This modern, plain English version of the Stoic classic became very popular and has been in print continuously since it was published. In this regular column Doing Stoicism, Sharon will be sharing her thoughts on how to practice Stoicism in our daily lives. 

Editor 

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“First, say to yourself what you would be; then do what you have to do.” So begins my book The Art of Living, a modern interpretation of Epictetus’ teachings. 

In 1980s California, surrounded by Hinduism, Buddhism, and Carlos Castaneda, Epictetus beeped at me as an alternative to the New Age buffet. I like simple and sensible. Epictetus was both. Epictetus was saying Do What Works and Quit Doing What Doesn’t! 

Self-discipline is not rule-following 

What works, according to Epictetus is self-discipline. Not arbitrary rule following, but self-governance in service of a flourishing life. Self-discipline relies on focus. Focus is doing one thing at a time. Not any one thing, but a worthy one thing. A one thing that, however modest, can incrementally move your life in a positive direction. A one thing repeated whether you are in the mood or not. 

Inspired by Epictetus and quietly desperate for a better life, but not knowing where to start, I decided to pick one teensy thing that might better me. While casting about for that one thing, my daughter happened to give me a yoga CD. I thought yoga was boring, but since the CD was a gift, I had to try it once. For one hour that felt like three I followed the skinny flexible yoga lady performing poses on a Hawaiian beach. On the mat I was jittery and impatient. 

Except. Later, I noticed an unfamiliar feeling: calm. I felt open-hearted, rather than melancholic and ironic. This, just from doing one thing one time! So, I decided to give the yoga CD a whirl for three days to see what might happen. Those days were a struggle, but each day less so. Still grudgingly obeying the yoga lady, I was growing stronger and more mentally clear. Next, I made a date with the yoga lady for a week. Then 21 days. Then 30 days. Truthfully, I didn’t always keep my agreed-on continuous number of days practice. But, if I got sick or bailed, I restarted the exercise on day one. Long story short, I did my one thing — yoga — for 2, 583 consecutive days, at which point I stopped counting. A framework was no longer necessary to keep me accountable. 

What happened from doing my one thing over and over? More than I could ever say. I’m not an anxiety-ridden grump anymore, but a fit, mostly clear-headed, and optimistic person. However, that’s all collateral benefit. The point is that introducing discipline into our lives takes our mind off what the Stoics call “externals,” all that stuff we vainly try to control and thereby drive ourselves and everyone around us nuts. When we do one thing, we quit doing what doesn’t work. 

Do one positive thing. Do it consistently 

Make no mistake: this isn’t a shout out for yoga. The practice of any one small positive action is potent and transformative. My daily yoga practice — my one thing —is an example of the Stoic appreciation for the efficacy of discipline and putting one’s attention on the worthy. That’s it. 

Find your one thing. 

Do it. 

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Sharon Lebell is the author of The Art of Living, The Classical Manual on Virtue, Happiness, and Effectiveness. https://amzn.to/2HleNm8

Sharon is on the Advisory Board of THE STOIC

 

 

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