29d • General discussion
“Reason is not measured by size or height, but by principle.” — Epictetus
You’re at the gym, and the guy next to you is loading four plates on each side of the barbell for deadlifts. Another person is running on the treadmill at top speed, posting it on Instagram. It’s easy to feel small in comparison, like your lighter weights or steady jog don’t measure up.
But Stoicism flips the perspective, your worth isn’t measured by the size of the plates or the number of miles, it’s measured by the principle behind what you’re doing.
If your principle is longevity, consistency, and health, then the bar you lift with great form, the walk you take every morning, or the decision to stretch instead of grind through pain are all acts of reasoned strength.
🛠️ Practical Application
- Define your “why”: Write down the principle guiding your training. Is it health, strength, mobility, stress relief, aesthetics? Keep that principle front and center.
- Stay aligned with reason: Skip the ego lifts. If your principle is long-term wellness, lifting with proper form and recovering well beats showing off for a PR that risks injury.
- Measure progress differently: Instead of comparing against others, measure how well you stick to your principles, Did I stay consistent? Did I fuel my body well? Did I avoid shortcuts?
💡 Takeaway
Fitness and wellness aren’t about the biggest weight, the fastest mile, or the most shredded physique. They’re about living by principle, moving in a way that makes you stronger, healthier, and more resilient for the long run.
That’s Stoicism in the gym, reason over ego, principle over spectacle. Hope this is a motivating nice message to think of today that will help you accomplish the tasks that will help you reach your goals. Have a wonderful day!
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“Reason is not measured by size or height, but by principle.” — Epictetus
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