While many people arrive at Stoicism for modern promises of learning to be calm under pressure or managing unpleasant emotions, people stick with Stoicism for its rich moral philosophy. The question of how to apply that moral framework to our lives is central to Stoic practice. In truth, it’s a question none of us can ever fully answer, because Stoicism is a lifelong pursuit. But where to begin?

To me, it starts by first recognizing that being a good person means helping others. Then, you identify the ways in which you can help others in your daily life. Once that’s done, you continually remind yourself of those roles you play and ask yourself if what you are doing is helping others or helping your own ego.

Good for the hive

So many Stoics talk at length about how social and outwardly focused the philosophy is. While modern individualism explains some of how contemporary Stoic practice focuses so heavily on our own state of being, it’s crucial that we not lose sight of the inherently communal core of Stoicism.

Applying the philosophy to everyday life goes beyond making sure that things do not upset us. It involves finding all the ways we can serve one another. Marcus wrote about this so often, one can argue it serves as a central theme of Meditations:

The nature of the rational animal is to work for the common good. He who works against another works against his own nature. - Marcus Aurelius, Meditations, 5.42

If it is human nature to work for the common good — to help one another — then that is our true north. We need to help one another. Break down modern notions of individualism and recognize that our daily lives and our upbringing are the result of immensely complex cooperation. Our parents raised us, our teachers taught us, our friends socialized us. The food we eat is prepared by people dozens, hundreds, thousands of miles away. The cars we drive and homes we live in were built by hands we’ve never touched. The trains and planes we ride in are managed by scores of people we never see. You are a part of that system of life we live just as much as the system is a part of you.

Good for the bee

So where in the system do you play a part? Surely in the friendships you cultivate, the people you teach, the work you do. But also in the small moments. The driver you let make a left turn, the person you hold the door for, the stranger you smile at on the subway. It’s also in the difficult moments too. The colleague you speak up on behalf of, the bully you call out, the victim you protect from harm.

Every single day, you have a thousand different ways to help. Every single day, you can remind yourself, as Marcus did, about the important work you’re doing to benefit others and yourself:

When you have trouble getting out of bed… remember that you are a human being, meant to work with others. – Marcus Aurelius, Meditations, 5.1

Some moments may seem insignificant, some roles unimportant. But we live in a complex web of actions and reactions. Your small actions help move big systems and make huge differences in the lives of others. The house built gives families a home to live in for decades. The field harvested will feed thousands. The report written will inform important decisions. The door held will speed others along to their duties in society. Your roles and actions have an impact.

In this moment

As you go through the days of your life, never stop reminding yourself of the goal. Be good. Help others. When you’re given a choice of how to act, ask yourself: “What is the thing that helps? What is the thing that’s useful?” Do that thing.

Attack your selfish and individualistic instinct to seek personal gain from your actions. Doing so makes you forget that what’s good for the hive is good for the bee. By helping others, you are inherently helping yourself. Marcus had to remind himself of this. You should too.

When you are doing good and another is benefited, why do you still look for a third thing besides these—as fools do—either to be thought good or to get a return? – Marcus Aurelius, Meditations, 6.30

This is how you apply Stoicism in your daily life. It’s not enough to shrug off unpleasant interactions or achieve moral perfection. It’s about asking yourself: “How can I be of use today?”

John Kuna is a Stoic prokopton, writer, and dog lover. He likes digging deep into Stoic theory, but also writing accessible and inspiring Stoic content.

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