1. Serenity Prayer
“Give me the serenity* to accept the things I cannot change, courage to change the things I can, and wisdom to know the difference.”
*serenity = peacefulness
Copy the quote into your notes.
Quickwrite a response to the quote.

2. STOICISM
Mr. Lange – AVID 10

4. Why Stoicism? Regret is a terrible feeling.
“Would have, could have, should have…”
Depression comes from living in the past Anxiety comes from living in the future.
Everything is a choice. With choice comes power.

5. Principle 1 Recognize what is under your control and what is not.
Don’t worry about what is not under your control.

6. Principle 1 My reactions External events My emotions Other people
UNDER MY CONTROL
NOT UNDER MY CONTROL
My reactions
External events
My emotions
Other people
Virtue (doing the right thing)
Fame, reputation, history, fate

7. “If it concerns anything not in your control, be prepared to say that is it nothing to you.” -Epictetus

8. Principle 2
Do not fight against the will of the universe, for you will surely lose.
“Go with the flow.”

9. “Don’t demand that things happen as you wish, but wish that they happen as they do happen, and you will go on well.” -Epictetus
“Whatever is agreeable to You, O Universe, is so to me, too.”
-Marcus Aurelius

10. Principle 3
Even though the external world may be determined, you still have internal freedom.
You choose your attitude toward the external world.

11. “Outward things cannot touch the soul, not in the least degree; nor have they admission to the soul, nor can they turn or move the soul; but the soul turns and moves itself alone.” -Marcus Aurelius

12. Discussion
How can “surrendering” to things beyond your control actually make you more powerful? Why not fight it to the bitter end?

13. Reading Assignment
Read Part 1: Perception of “The Obstacle is the Way”

14. Principle 4 External events are not the problem… your reaction is.
Adjust your beliefs and expectations to fit reality.

15. “For there is nothing either good or bad, but thinking makes it so.”
-William Shakespeare
Hamlet (Act II, scene ii)

16. Principle 5 Do the right thing, no matter what the cost.
“Be the change you want to see in the world.”

17. “The point is not how long you live but how nobly you live
“The point is not how long you live but how nobly you live.” -Lucius Seneca
“An emerald shines even if its worth is not spoken of.”
-Marcus Aurelius

18. Principle 6 Live with compassion and respect for human rights.
Everyone you meet is a piece of the vast puzzle of the universe.

19. “The whole world is but one commonwealth, for there is no other society in which mankind can be incorporated.” -Marcus Aurelius

20. Discussion
You are going to go Christmas shopping later. You expect traffic to be light and the lines at the stores to be short.
Why is this setting yourself up for failure? What would be a Stoic’s approach to this scenario?

21. Reading Assignment
Read Part 2: Action of “The Obstacle is the Way”

22. Principle 7
Set aside time every day for meditation, reflection, and/or contemplation.
Immunize and exercise your mind.

23. “Happy people build their inner world
“Happy people build their inner world. Unhappy people blame their outer world.” -Dalai Lama

24. Principle 8 Be prepared for all scenarios.
Calmness, humility, indifference, and discipline are your allies.

25. “Self-discipline is like a muscle; the more you exercise it, the stronger it gets.”
-Daniel Goldstein
Cognitive Psychologist

26. Principle 9 There is no adversity, only opportunity.
Turn failure into a challenge to make yourself better.

27. “So remember this principle when something threatens to cause you pain: the thing itself was no misfortune at all; to endure it and prevail is great good fortune.” -Marcus Aurelius

28. Discussion
Think of a time that you have failed at something (a test, a sport, an instrument, a relationship, etc.).
How could you turn that failure into an opportunity?

29. Reading Assignment
Read Part 3: Will of “The Obstacle is the Way”

30. Sources
“10 Themes of Stoicism (Full Version).” YouTube, YouTube, 1 Sept. 2015,
Holiday, Ryan. The Obstacle Is the Way: The Timeless Art of Turning Trials into Triumph. Portfolio/Penguin, 2014.