Being a Friend
Hey friends,
I hope everyone is okay.
Tomorrow’s events:
Situational Assessment: Riot Edition w/ Jordan Hall. June 3rd @ 11:00 AM ET. RSVP here.
COVID and Biosecurity Preparedness w/ MimeticValue. June 3rd @ 6:00 PM ET. RSVP here.
Breaking the Frame w/ Travis Mann. June 3rd @ 7:30 PM ET. RSVP here.
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June 2, 2020
My body is depleted.
I am not inspired to continue on with this project.
I do not want to be me.
Those are things I experienced yesterday. I want to complain, but Stoics do not complain, and I am concerned I would feel tone-deaf to do so given what is happening in the world. I did just write about everything I wanted to complain about, and I systematically addressed them, but it felt wrong to post that, so I deleted it.
Maybe rescuing the little boy from the basement was the wrong move at this moment. He was neglected all those years, so it is not prudent to selfishly expect him to be playing with a joyous heart. I am not inspired to write at the moment. I am not inspired to steward The Stoa either. Yesterday was a struggle for me. The daemon is not here, or better said, he does not want me to be here. He wants me to go for a walk instead, while everyone is still sleeping, and connect with friends.
I am being reminded of a quote, I forget who said it, and I am paraphrasing: "a professional shows up even if he is not inspired." I am not inspired this morning, but I showed up. I was not inspired at The Stoa yesterday, but I showed up. Sometimes I am not inspired to be a Stoic, and oftentimes I do not show up, but I am showing up now.
I went for that walk, and I feel nourished. It is brisk outside, and while the birds were chirping I sent voice messages to friends. Friendship is something I have been neglecting since my spiritual hustle began, which is not a wise move, because friendship for its own sake is one of the most nourishing things in this world.
I am here for beauty, and beauty is found in communitas. There is so much temptation in this world, and cultish invitations, that reward you with immediate gratification. If The Stoa gets seduced by temptations, I will end the project.
While the world is burning, I sense it is time for me to slow down, and be a good friend.
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Gift Economy / The Stoa currently operates through a gift economy. We are offering the Stoa as a gift, for people to freely use during these troubled times. If you are inspired to provide a gift to The Stoa, email thestoa at protonmail dot com. Your gift can take the form of money, support, services or ideas. If you wish to gift money, you can do so here or here for ongoing gifts.