October 17

Stoicism is often associated with resilience and self-control, but kindness is also an important aspect. Seneca, a Stoic philosopher, compares kindness to a buried treasure, something valuable to be used wisely. Kindness should not be wasted or taken for granted. It is about recognizing its worth and finding opportunities to be kind in every interaction, no matter how small. Seneca challenges us to approach the first three encounters of the day as opportunities for kindness, responding with empathy and understanding. It's about focusing on what we can control and finding inner virtue and self-reward in acting with kindness, without expecting anything in return. Small acts of kindness can have a ripple effect and change the way we approach our day and interact with others. ready to dig a little deeper into Stoicism. Today, we're tackling something that might seem surprisingly central to this ancient philosophy. Kindness, right. Exactly. It's not always the first thing that comes to mind when you think about Stoicism, is it? Right, we tend to focus on the resilience, the self-control, the facing your fears aspects, all of which are super important. Absolutely, but today's deep dive, it's all about exploring this idea of kindness. We're gonna see how it fits into this bigger picture of living a virtuous life. And I think some really practical takeaways, too. Sounds good to me. All right, so for this deep dive, we're turning to Seneca, the Stoic philosopher. And I love how he approaches this idea of kindness. He calls it benefit in some translations, but it's that same concept. He compares it to something really intriguing, a buried treasure. Okay, I'm intrigued. Buried treasure and kindness, how does that work? Well, he basically says a benefit should be kept like a buried treasure, only to be dug up in necessity. So it's not something you just waste or toss around carelessly. A buried treasure is valuable. You keep it safe, use it wisely. Right, and I think that's key here. It's not that we should be stingy with kindness. It's more about recognizing its inherent worth. I like that. So not necessarily about brand gestures or saving it up for some big moment, but valuing each opportunity to be kind. Exactly, and Seneca actually goes on to say, nature bids us to do well by all. Wherever there is a human being, there's an opportunity for kindness. So he's saying it's kind of ingrained in us. We have this natural inclination to do good, and every single person we encounter, no matter how fleeting the interaction, is a chance to tap into that. Yes, it's not just about the big stuff. It's every little interaction, every moment, every person we come across. It's a very active way of looking at it. Kind of shifts your perspective, right? You're not just going through the motions. That's a mindfulness thing almost. You're being present, being aware, and seeing those opportunities. And speaking of putting this into practice, our source material for today actually gives us a challenge. Okay, I'm always up for a challenge. What is it? All right, so it says to approach your first three encounters today as opportunities for kindness. Interesting, no matter what they are. First three. Yeah, the good, the bad, the ugly, no matter what comes your way in those first three encounters. So how do you think that would look, practically speaking? Well, for me, it starts with understanding. Before I react to someone or a situation, I try to take a moment and consider their perspective. What might they be going through? Maybe they're having a tough day. Maybe they're dealing with something you have no idea about. It's about pausing before you react instead of just kind of, I don't know, firing back with whatever's on your mind at that moment. Yes, instead of just reacting, you're responding. And you're responding with a bit more empathy and understanding. It's choosing kindness, even when it's hard, even when, frankly, you might not feel like it. Exactly, and that's where the strength comes in. Because here's the thing, we can't control how the other person's gonna react. They might not be kind back to us. And that can be tough. It's easy to get caught up in wanting that reciprocation. Yeah, for sure. But that's where that classic stoic principle comes in. Focus on what you can control. You can control your own actions, your own choices. Your own response. You can't control what other people do. You can't control the world around you. But you can control you. Right, and that's incredibly freeing in a way. And that takes us back to Seneca calling kindness a benefit. Because in stoicism, acting virtuously, like showing kindness even when it's difficult, that's its own reward. It's not about expecting something in return. Right, it's not about seeking external validation. It's about aligning yourself with those inner virtues like wisdom and self-control. That in itself is the true benefit. That's a powerful shift in perspective. And as we're talking about this, it really makes you think how much of a ripple effect even small acts of kindness could have on your day. Oh, absolutely. If you're approaching even those little interactions as opportunities for kindness. So here's something for everyone listening to chew on today. If every interaction, even the seemingly insignificant ones, could be a chance for kindness, how might that change the way you approach your day? How might it shift your perspective and interactions for the better?