| Not everyone finds themselves in a position to reveal some world-changing government secret. Not everyone is there when somebody falls into the water and can't swim. Not everyone was born to be emperor in a time of crisis (Marcus Aurelius) or an elected official in a moment of great consequence (Cato). Sociologists and historians speak of something called "moral luck." This is what Churchill was referring to when he noted, sadly, of the Earl of Rosebery, that the man lived in "an age of great men and small events." We don't all have the chance to be heroes on a grand scale. We don't all get tapped on the shoulder by destiny (as Churchill was). But the Stoics would say that there is no such thing as 'small' events, that we all have a chance—indeed, an obligation—to get involved in the issues of our time and to try to make a positive difference wherever it is in our control. Besides, Churchill's assessment of that period was laughably inaccurate. Rosebery lived from 1847 to 1929—slavery was still rampant around the world. For the entirety of Rosebery's life, working conditions in England's factories were heinous and awful. Britain's colonial system and all its abuses carried on with few objections. The Irish question loomed over British politics and most leaders believed it hopeless. Countries regularly went to war for little reason and with little thought to the people affected. Millions starved. Millions were abused. Countless things went uninvented, unreformed, unchampioned. And the same is true for the moment we are in right now. Depending on where you live or what you do, things may seem relatively calm or even sunny. But the world was just rocked by a pandemic that killed millions—what did you do to help? Income inequality. Climate change. Disruptive technologies like AI loom before us. Fascism is on the rise globally. More locally, there are people who are hungry, people who need a second chance, people who could use a friend, kids who need to be adopted, students who need mentorship, local offices that could be filled, abuses that could be called out. Are you doing anything about this? It doesn't matter whether the events are big or small. What matters is if you are a big or small person, a brave and just person, or a cowardly and selfish person. How are you helping? What are you doing? How are you acting like a Stoic as opposed to just 'being stoic?' You can make your own moral luck. In fact, you must. In the Stoic Virtues series, Ryan Holiday shows us that we don't need to wait for history-defining moments to make a difference. We all have within us the ability to choose courage, act with discipline, do what's right, and continue to learn and work on ourselves for life. From local community involvement to tackling global challenges, these books provide the blueprint for transforming Stoic principles into decisive action. Learn how to create your own "moral luck" and become the person who steps forward when others step back—get your signed copies of each of the four books (or the whole set) from the Daily Stoic store today! Today is the last chance for expedited shipping in time for Christmas.
You've Got to Demand Everything of Yourself | Paralympian Ezra Frech The pressure of being great changes when you're carrying more than your own ambition. In today's episode, Ryan sits down with Paralympian Ezra Frech to talk about the discipline required to compete at the highest level and the weight that comes with representing more than just yourself. Ezra shares what it actually takes to be a top professional Paralympian: relentless training, ruthless focus, and the constant tension between chasing personal excellence and advocating for a much larger community. He also talks about growing up with a disability, the role his parents played in building his confidence, and more. 🎙️ Listen now on Apple Podcasts & Spotify.
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