Navigating Life's Storms

Finding Strength in Difficulty, Balance in Pleasure, and Peace in Criticism

Author

Theo Huxley
April 06, 2025

III by Stoisayings

Three Stoic quotes. Three practical applications. Three minutes.

Welcome to this week's edition of III by Stoisayings. Let's explore timeless wisdom with modern relevance.

I.

❝

"The greater the difficulty, the more glory in surmounting it. Skillful pilots gain their reputation from storms and tempests."

Your challenges aren't obstacles to success—they're the very path to it. Next time you face a difficult situation, try reframing it: "This is my storm to navigate skillfully." The most respected people in any field aren't those who had easy journeys but those who masterfully steered through turbulence. Today, identify one difficulty you're avoiding and take a single step toward it. The reputation you build with yourself when you face your storms head-on becomes an internal compass that guides you through future challenges. Your greatest growth lies precisely where you feel most resistant to go.

II.

❝

"The vine bears three kinds of grapes: the first of pleasure, the second of intoxication, the third of disgust."

Pleasure follows a pattern of diminishing returns that we consistently underestimate. Consider your relationship with anything you enjoy: social media, food, entertainment, even work achievements. The first taste brings genuine pleasure, but continued indulgence leads to a numbing intoxication, and eventually, disgust. Create boundaries around your pleasures by implementing the "enough point"—deliberately stopping before intoxication begins. This might mean putting down your phone after 20 minutes, having one piece of chocolate, or celebrating an achievement briefly before moving on. Moderation isn't about restriction; it's about preserving the genuine pleasure that makes life rich.

III.

❝

"If you hear that someone is speaking ill of you, instead of trying to defend yourself you should say: 'He obviously does not know me very well, since there are so many other faults he could have mentioned.'"

Most defensive reactions to criticism only amplify its importance. Try this instead: When criticized, pause and silently acknowledge, "There are far more flaws they could have mentioned." This isn't self-deprecation—it's the confident humility that comes from self-awareness. It immediately diffuses the emotional charge of criticism and places you back in control. The peace that follows isn't from winning an argument but from refusing to have one in the first place. Your response to criticism says more about your character than the criticism itself. By choosing humor and perspective over defensiveness, you demonstrate a strength that no criticism can touch.

Until next week, Theo

P.S. Which of these three practices would create the most immediate positive change in your life if you implemented it today?