“Indeed, no one can thwart the purposes of your mind—for they can’t be touched by fire, steel, tyranny, slander, or anything.”—MARCUS AURELIUS, MEDITATIONS, 8.41
Obstacles are a part of life—things happen, stuff gets in our way, situations go awry. But nothing can stop the Stoic mind when it’s operating properly, because in every course of action, it has retained “a reverse clause.”
What’s that? It’s a backup option. If a friend betrays us, our reverse clause is to learn from how this happened and how to forgive this person’s mistake.
Part of this is remembering the usual course of things—Murphy’s Law states that “if anything can go wrong, it will.” So we keep this reverse clause handy because we know we’re probably going to have to use it. No one can thwart that.
Source: The Daily Stoic by Ryan Holiday and Stephen Hanselman
In my scenario, my bout with gastroenteritis caused me significant distress. Yet, by applying the Stoic principle of the reverse clause, I found ways to navigate the adversity:
- When my body was overwhelmed by illness, my reverse clause was to focus on rest and recovery. I accepted that my physical state was beyond my immediate control, but my reaction to it was within my power. I chose to remain calm and patient, knowing that healing takes time. This day I choose to throw aways stuff.
- When I missed out on Father’s Day celebrations, my reverse clause was gratitude. I focused on the love and support from my family, rather than the festivities I was missing. This shift in perspective allowed me to find comfort and joy in their care and kindness.
- When I felt weak and incapacitated, my reverse clause was to find strength in my mind. I reminded myself that while my body was temporarily fragile, my mind remained resilient. I could still appreciate small moments of peace and use the time to reflect on the positives.
- When faced with the mess and discomfort of my illness, my reverse clause was acceptance. Instead of resisting or resenting the situation, I chose to accept it as part of life’s unpredictable nature. This acceptance brought a sense of inner peace.
By integrating these reverse clauses into my mindset, I turned a challenging experience into an opportunity for growth. I realized that while I can’t control everything that happens to me, I can always control how I respond. This mental flexibility is the essence of Stoic resilience.
A stoic Minimalist 