Given that I started this blog with posts about angry Bob, it only makes sense that the next author I highlight was once his research assistant. Ryan Holiday is a self-proclaimed modern Stoic and the author of three of my favorite books. I exclusively give one of these three books as college graduation gifts. I also hide a check in the back pages of the book, and only one person I know has cashed one of those checks. I digress.
One of the hardest lessons I believe that young adults have to learn in order to be wildly successful is to understand and then embrace contradiction. Ryan’s books continue to help me see the journey as not linear, but as looping, self-intersecting arcs. Consider the titles.
Ego is the Enemy. In my youth, I felt that I needed to build me because so many others were trying to marginalize me. I didn’t feel that I was being taken seriously. I needed to build my own power. How could that be the enemy?
The Obstacle is the Way. I felt that there were so many obstacles to overcome, that it was wise to avoid them altogether. What imbecile would choose to take on obstacles?
Stillness is the Key. I’ve never been good at being still. I can’t even sit still for very long. I’ve always been a bit jittery. When I’m still, it causes me to actually become more unnerved. This might be a path for others, but not for me.
I will explore these books individually in future posts, but know that each of them is absolutely worth your time. Also, Ryan’s daily reader The Daily Stoic which provides bite-sized snippets of wisdom on how to interact with yourself, and the world, with greater poise.
