It's now May. Ryan Holiday switches the theme from "The Discipline of Perception", which was for months January through April, to "The Discipline of Action". April's focus was "Unbiased Thought". May's is "Right Action". Which leads me to the prompt for today. Holiday quotes Musonius Rufus: "'For philosophy doesn't consist in outward display, but in taking heed to what is needed and being mindful of it.'"
Holiday interprets this as a Stoic needing only his character to show who he is. Businessmen wear suits, monks in robes, and priests with a collar. A stoic is identifiable only by his character, not his clothes.
It's not the most insightful or hair-raising message we've gotten from the Daily Stoic. But it's another testament to valuing what's inside rather than outside.
My brother and his girlfriend are extremely good examples of this. They live a simple life - no fancy dinners, expensive dates, or manufactured moments. And every time you're around them, you feel completely safe. They're character speaks volumes.
They are thoughtful, give perspective, listen in hard and easy times, share duties of the apartment with ease, and give patience like it's a bottomless reservoir. Their inner peace shines brightly.
Do you have people like this in your life? Are you one of them? Try to thank those people the next chance you get. Their stoicism might seem boring and cold at the onset, but it provides a wealth of love and peace to those who stick around.