III

Three Stoic quotes. Three practical applications. Three minutes.

Welcome to this week's edition of III by Stoisayings. In a world of constant distraction and endless demands, these timeless Stoic insights offer practical wisdom for staying grounded and living with intention.

I.

True strength begins with acknowledging your limitations. Make a two-column list today: in one column, write down what you can control completely; in the other, what you cannot. You'll find the first column is remarkably short—perhaps containing only your judgments, reactions, and focus. This isn't discouraging—it's liberating. By recognizing the boundaries of your influence, you stop wasting energy trying to control the uncontrollable. Notice how this simple exercise immediately clarifies where to direct your efforts. The paradox of power is that it grows precisely when we stop pretending to have it where we don't.

II.

Create a "presence practice" for today: Set three alarms on your phone. When each sounds, pause for 10 seconds and ask: "Am I fully here right now?" Notice if you're rushing through a task just to finish it, half-listening in conversation, or letting your mind drift to past regrets or future worries. This brief check-in builds the muscle of awareness. Most of our life slips away in these small moments of disconnection—when we're physically present but mentally elsewhere. The fullness of experience lives in the middle path between frantic activity and complete disengagement. Find it in ordinary moments today.

III.

Before beginning your next task today, ask yourself: "How can I approach this as a good human being?" This shifts your focus from mere completion to meaningful contribution. Whether responding to an email, attending a meeting, or preparing a meal, there's always a way to infuse it with patience, honesty, or generosity. The quality of your character matters more than the quantity of your achievements. This perspective transforms even mundane activities into opportunities for growth. Your primary job is not whatever's on your to-do list—it's expressing your best qualities in whatever you happen to be doing.

Until next week, Theo

P.S. Which of these practices most challenges your current way of thinking? That might be precisely the one worth trying first.

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