I was first attracted to Stoicism many years ago, when going through some very difficult times. The writings of Seneca and of Marcus Aurelius provided me with comfort and strength then, and helped me overcome adversity. But when my circumstances improved, I reverted to my old ways, and to the hedonistic principles by which our modern capitalistic consumer culture is designed, the belief that "Greed is Good" and that "More is Better".
It was only many years later, when I found out that both my blood pressure and my blood cholesterol levels were raised, that I rediscovered this ancient philosophy. My doctor had wanted to put me on medication for both conditions, but, conscious of the side-effects of these drugs, I pleaded for a six month period of grace, to see if a life-style change could make a difference.
I stopped eating in restaurants, and avoided take-away meals and fast food. I cooked all my meals at home, which allowed me to control my salt intake. I exercised. I stopped smoking, and cut down on alcohol. At the end of six months, my blood pressure was down, and my cholesterol level was back within the normal range. I did notice that my life-style change had saved me a fair amount of money. But more importantly, I realised that it had not detracted from my happiness in any way.
The Stoic life-style is not just healthier and cheaper, it is also better for the environment. By cutting down on waste and unnecessary consumption, we do not only improve our cholesterol levels and our financial situation, we also reduce our carbon imprint.
It is therefore with the hope that others can also reduce their own impact on the environment that this collection of thoughts and principles is offered. If it should motivate even one other person to change his or her life-style, the effort would have been well worth the while.
It was only many years later, when I found out that both my blood pressure and my blood cholesterol levels were raised, that I rediscovered this ancient philosophy. My doctor had wanted to put me on medication for both conditions, but, conscious of the side-effects of these drugs, I pleaded for a six month period of grace, to see if a life-style change could make a difference.
I stopped eating in restaurants, and avoided take-away meals and fast food. I cooked all my meals at home, which allowed me to control my salt intake. I exercised. I stopped smoking, and cut down on alcohol. At the end of six months, my blood pressure was down, and my cholesterol level was back within the normal range. I did notice that my life-style change had saved me a fair amount of money. But more importantly, I realised that it had not detracted from my happiness in any way.
The Stoic life-style is not just healthier and cheaper, it is also better for the environment. By cutting down on waste and unnecessary consumption, we do not only improve our cholesterol levels and our financial situation, we also reduce our carbon imprint.
It is therefore with the hope that others can also reduce their own impact on the environment that this collection of thoughts and principles is offered. If it should motivate even one other person to change his or her life-style, the effort would have been well worth the while.
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